Phoenicia, Sidon. Ba'alšillem II, circa 401-366 BC. 1/16 Shekel (No reserve price)

The 1/16 shekel coin from Sidon, Phoenicia, attributed to Ba'alšillem II around 401-366 BC, offers a window into an important Phoenician city-state's monetary system during the late classical era. Sidon was a major urban center known for its craftsmanship, especially in glass and purple dye production, as well as its status as a trading hub. The shekel was a standard weight unit in Phoenician and surrounding economies, and fractional denominations like the 1/16 shekel allowed for convenient daily transactions. Ba'alšillem II was one of the city's kings, and coins bearing his name or symbols often served to legitimize his rule and demonstrate the city's prosperity and autonomy. These coins embody the interplay between political authority and economic practice in ancient Phoenicia and are prized by collectors for their historical and artistic significance.