MESOPOTAMIA. Hatra. Pseudo-autonomous issue, early-mid-2nd century AD. AE (Bronze, 25 mm, 13.26 g, 12 h). 𐡇𐡈𐡓𐡀 𐡃𐡔𐡌𐡔 (HTR' DŠMŠ in Aramaic) Radiate and draped bust of the sun god Shamash to right. Rev. Large S C upside down; above, eagle standing right with wings spread and head to left; all within laurel wreath. Slocum Series 1. SNG Copenhagen 232. Walker Type A. An unusually attractive example of this interesting issue, distinguished by Shamash’s dramatically flowing hair. A few minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.
The small principality of Hatra lay west of the Tigris. Ruled by its own kings from the mid-2nd century AD, it was so heavily fortified that neither Trajan nor Septimius Severus succeeded in capturing it during their otherwise successful campaigns against the Parthians. These Roman reverses may be echoed in Hatra’s distinctive local coinage, which imitates issues of Roman Antioch. Unlike the Antiochene prototypes, however, the eagle on the Hatrene imitations consistently stands above an inverted S C. This striking reversal may have been intended as a symbolic challenge to Roman authority, whose formidable legions had been repelled by the resilient caravan city. The obverse depicts the ancient Mesopotamian sun god Shamash, whose connection with the city is also expressed by the exceptionally complete inscription on the present coin: HTR' DŠMŠ (Hatra d-Shamash). This genitive construction literally means 'Hatra of Shamash,' presenting the city as belonging to the sun god and placing it under his divine protection