Phoenicia, Marathos, 221-152 BC, Tetrachalkon

Phoenicia, Marathos, Tetrachalkon, 221-152 BC. AE. Minted in Marathos. Weight: 8.47g. Diameter: 19mm. The obverse features a veiled female head, possibly depicting Berenike II, facing right. On the reverse, Marathos is standing left, holding an aphlaston in his right hand and leaning on a short column with his left. The coin exhibits a well-centered strike with minor wear on high points. It is referenced in Duyrat, Ateliers Series 4, 98.

The tetrachalkon of Marathos reflects the vibrant cultural exchanges in Phoenicia during the Hellenistic period, marked by Greek influence. The depiction of what is possibly Berenike II highlights the intertwining of royal iconography with local authority, underscoring Marathos' political and economic significance along the Eastern Mediterranean trade routes. Marathos served as a pivotal locale for maritime and cultural interactions, with coinage playing a crucial role in asserting its autonomy and identity within the greater Hellenistic world.