Phoenicia -Arados, Baal Arwad

PHOENICIA; Arados, AR Stater [circa 348-338 BCE]. I liked this one representative Phoenician coin because it has a more distinctly Phoenician character than many of the later Tyre issues. I have noted an evolution in the description of the obverse deity. It used be be described a 'bearded male deity', then as 'Melcarth', and here as 'Baal Arwad' [Arados].
From Ancient Imports auction on VCoins #281, Lot 118. [~$245 for all fees with a $275 est.]
Obv: Laureate head of Baal Arwad right.
Rev: Phoenician galley sailing right over waves. With Phoenician letters above [3 or 4?; read R to L: "hmg"?]. BMC 60; Sear Vol II, S-5971.

Condition: Very Fine.
Weight: 10.17 grams. [Persic weight standard]
Diameter: ~19.6 mm.

Phoenicians were not "Greek' settlers of Asia Minor. They are known to have ranged the entire Mediterranean Sea with many colonies established, notably Carthage in the 9thC. B.C.E. Their rugged ships are thought have been copied by the Northmen. They worked for Solomon in the building of the 2nd Temple and constructed a canal linking the Red Sea. Amazing traders, they bartered and had little use for coins until the Greeks defeated the Persians. Then they were used mainly to pay their sailors. Certain gold issues are claimed to show a map of the world. The Mediterranean is shown with British Isles and the NEW WORLD! Their Phoenician characters were found on wall inscriptions in Brazil and were the basis of phonetic alphabets and characters. Truly an amazing people!

Two articles are available to VIEW and DOWNLOAD:
SHEKELS AND HALF-SHEKELS OF TYRE - Illingworth: [ link ]
TYRE SHEKEL DATING - Tye: [ link ]