Kyrene, Cyrenaica (Magas Reign, 308-277 BC.)

[B]Kyrene, Cyrenaica (308-277 BC.) AR Didrachm[/B] [u]Obv[/u]: Head of Apollo Myrtous w/ long, wiry hair & myrtle wreath, facing left. [u]Rev[/u]: Silphium (Type IIIa) w/ four leaflets to leaves; KYPA legend flanking either side of silphium; jerboa in lower left field; ΣΩ monogram in lower right field. [u]Attribution[/u]: BMC Cyrenaica 261(Pl.24,9). [u]Provenance[/u]: ex. Arsakes Art Sale, #41, 1.16.09 [u]Weight[/u]: 6.71 gm. [u]Maximal Diameter[/u]: 18.06 mm. [u]Axis[/u]: 12 [u]Note[/u]: Robinson thinks this rare didrachm is under Phoenician, not Rhodian, weight standard. Moneyer/magistrate (ΣΩ) is known on AR and AV issues from this period, but firm attribution to any particular individual is tenuous. --------------------- Jerboas are jumping rodents capable of covering a distance of 3 m (10 ft) with one leap. They spring from their extended hind legs, using their tails for balance. Jerboas live primarily in the arid regions of Africa and Central Asia and feed on plants, seeds, and insects. They extract all the water they need from these foods. [IMG]http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t054/T054931A.jpg[/IMG] JB303