ARABIA, Eastern. Tylos/Bahrain (?). Characenian-inspired series, circa 1st century CE. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 15.85 g, 7 h). Bearded head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. [...]OИHC / PⱯCIVЄIΩI - IΩC Male figure seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and forepart of a horse in his right; to left, palm frond; below right arm, retrograde monogram of TP. Unpublished and unique. Somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.


The blundered legend on the reverse apparently refers to one of the several Characenian rulers named Theonesios, the earliest of which ruled in circa 25/4-19/8 BCE. It is worth noting that the monogram below the right arm of the reverse figure is clearly a retrograde version of the symbol appearing in front of Herakles' head on the obverse of Leu 10 (2021), 2233.