DYNASTS OF LYCIA. Kherei, circa 440/30-410 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 13 mm, 1.89 g, 7 h), Tlos. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev. 𐊜𐊁𐊕𐊚 - 𐊍𐊗 ('xerẽ - tl' in Lycian) Bearded head of Kherei to right, wearing kyrbasia; all within incuse square. Mørkholm & Zahle -, cf. 40-41 (Xanthos). Müseler VI, 47 (same dies). SNG von Aulock -. Of the highest rarity, one of apparently just two known examples. Beautifully toned and with a superb portrait. The obverse struck from a worn die, otherwise, good very fine.


When this coin first emerged in 1988, it was only the second known portrait issue of Kherei from Tlos. Since then, a number of additional examples have turned up - mostly staters - but the hemidrachms have retained their extreme rarity.