SYRIA, Decapolis. Gerasa. Hadrian, 117-138. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 5.29 g, 12 h), CY 17 = 132/3. ΑΥ Κ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ Ϲ / IZ Laureate bust of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΑΡΤЄΜΙ ΤΥΧΗ ΓЄΡΑϹⲰΝ Draped bust of Artemis to right, with quiver over her shoulder and bow in her right hand. RPC III online 4089.3 (this coin). Spijkerman - . Extremely rare, one of apparently just three known examples. Very fine.


Gerasa, modern Jerash in Northern Jordan, was annexed to Roman Syria by Pompey the Great in 63 BC, and incorporated into the Decapolis. It was later absorved into the Roman Provincia Arabia and remains one of the largest and best preserved sites of Hellenistic and Roman architecture outside of Italy.