Historama Autumn Mail Auction #5

Syria > Seleucid Kings > Demetrios/Demetrius II Nicator (second reign), 130-125 BC: AR Didrachm (half-Shekel value) dated year 184 (129/128 BC); Type mint; c. 8g, 20.5mm. Diademed head right & leg. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTΡIOY ("of King Demetrius") / Eagle standing left on ship's prow, wings closed, palm over shoulder; [dotted] A over PE above TYP monogram on club in left field; [dotted] AZY monogram over ΔΠΡ in right field & F-P monogram between legs. Hole punched at 11 o'clock position. Period Tyrian half-Shekels contained 95% silver & were used to pay the J'lem Temple tribute tax commanded of every Jewish male over age of 20 to pay.