ARABIA. Esbus. Elagabalus, 218-222. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 10.02 g, 6 h). ΑΥΤ C Μ AV[R ANTONINV] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind. Rev. [ЄCBOVC] Tyche-Astarte standing front, head to left, right foot on uncertain object, holding small human bust in her right hand and scepter in her left, within tetrastyle temple with central arch. BMC 3-5. Rosenberger 3. RPC VI online 9345. SNG ANS -. Sofaer 4-5. Spijkerman 3. Deposits and somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good fine.


Esbus was the Biblical Heshbon, cited in the Old Testament as the main settlement of the Amorites conquered by the Jews (Numbers, 21:25). Herod the Great fortified the city as one of his main strongholds guarding the Perea. The city issued its only coinage under Elagabalus.