SAMARIA. Anepigraphic types with Achaemenid and regional influences. Circa 400-332 BC. M'h (Silver, 10 mm, 0.48 g, 10 h). Two hunters, in oriental garb, carrying an animal prey hanging upside down on a horizontal pole; between them, hunting dog walking left, head turned back to right; all within dotted square border. Rev. The Persian Great King or hero standing front, head to left, holding two lions by their tails; all within dotted square border within incuse square. CSC 195. Jeselsohn 225. Meshorer & Qedar 130. Sofaer 144. Rare, darkly toned and unusually attractive for this difficult issue. Good very fine.


This fascinating coin brings together two hunting scenes: on the obverse, two Persians carry a dead animal on a pole, their hunting dog shown below; on the reverse, the Great King appears holding two dead lions aloft by their tails. The imagery evokes not only the aristocratic hunt of the Persian elite, but also a powerful vision of kingship: the subjugation of untamed wilderness by the ordering power of the Achaemenids.