ARABIA, Southern. Qataban. Circa 200-150 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 12 mm, 2.00 g, 10 h), imitating Antiochos III and Athens. Male head to right, wearing diadem inscribed 𐩴𐩣𐩪𐩣 ('gms¹m' in South Arabian). Rev. AΘE Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig and monogram; to right, Royal Qatabanian monogram. Huth 357. Munro-Hay 1.8aii. Very rare. Struck from somewhat worn dies, otherwise, good very fine.


This intriguing piece distinguishes itself from other Qatabanian coins through an inscription on the diadem indicating the denomination, namely 'one gms,' corresponding to a hemidrachm. The head is often described simply as that of a 'Hellenistic ruler' or as being 'in Hellenistic style,' yet it is clearly influenced more specifically by Seleukid models and most plausibly represents Antiochos III the Great, who was active in the Persian Gulf and also appears on coins from Gerrha (cf. Leu 10 (2021), 2229).