JUDAEA. Ascalon. Hadrian, 117-138. Triassarion (Bronze, 23 mm, 12.60 g, 12 h), RY 4 and CY 235 = 132/3. ϹЄΒΑϹΤΟϹ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right.
Rev. ΑϹΚΑΛⲰ / L Δ / ЄΛC (?) Tyche of Ascalon (Tyche-Astarte) standing front on prow, head to right, holding standard in her right hand and aphlaston in her left; to left, incense altar; to right, dove standing left. RPC III online 4014A.1 (
this coin). Apparently unique. The reverse struck slightly off center
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of Eric ten Brink, privately acquired from Tom Vossen on 27 June 2017.
As noted by RPC III online, the civic year on this coin seems to begin with an Є, giving us a city year of 235 rather than the expected 236, the date corresponding to Hadrian's 4th regnal year at Ascalon. This may be because the Hadrianic era began at an earlier date than the civic year, or perhaps it is an engraver's mistake, as often found in this mint.
