Lot 7: SYRIA, Decapolis. Gadara. Autonomous Issue. . Æ 22mm. Year 1 (64/63 BC).

SYRIA, Decapolis. Gadara. Autonomous Issue. . Æ 22mm (10.73 g). Year 1 (64/63 BC). Bust of Herakles left, wearing lion's s kin headdress, holding club over left shoulder / LA RWMHS, rostrum right. Spijkerman 1; Rosenberger 1. Near VF, dark brown patina with some deposits. Rare.

In 64-63 BC Roman troops, under Pompey, liberated the Greek cities conquered by Alexander Jannaeus. Pompey personally supervised the reconstruction of Gadara. In commemoration of this event the people of Gadara established the year 64-63 BC as the beginning of a new era for their history, in substitution for the Seleukid era.

See the VAuctions archives, Sale 215 lot 65, for another specimen that sold for $1200.

• Offered By: VAuctions
• Lot #: 7
• Listing #: 218483
• Closed: Thursday, May 14, 2009 5:12:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $400