ARABIA, Southern. Hadhramawt or Saba', 3rd-2nd centuries BC. 'Drachm' (Bronze, 17 mm, 4.45 g). Diademed male head to left; on cheek, 𐩹 ('ḏ' in South Arabian Script). Rev. Owl standing right, head facing; above, 𐩡𐩦 (?) ('ls²' in South Arabian Script); to lower right, 𐩴 (?) ('g' in South Arabian Script) and monogram. Classical Numismatic Group 351 (2015), 409. Classical Numismatic Group 419 (2018), 244. Huth 466. Extremely rare and exceptionally complete and well preserved for the issue. The obverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, good very fine.


The attribution of these extremely rare bronze drachms, featuring an unusual male head on the obverse, remains disputed; they are most likely to belong to Hadhramawt or Sabaʾ. The monogram is attested on Sabaean drachms (Huth 205).