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AR Hemidrachm - Bucranium series
| Issuer | Sabaean Kingdom (Southern Arabia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 300 BC - 200 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Hemidrachm (½) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Ancient South Arabian |
| Obverse lettering | M |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Additional information |
The Sabaean bucranium coinage is a direct imitation of Athenian "owl" tetradrachms, adapted for local use in South Arabia during the period when Athenian silver dominated long-distance trade from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. The hemidrachm denomination served the frankincense and myrrh caravan economy — fractional silver for transactions along routes that connected the Hadramawt to Mediterranean markets. These issues were struck at a reduced Attic standard, reflecting the Sabaean kingdom's pragmatic adjustment to both local weight conventions and the demands of overland trade rather than any deference to Athenian monetary authority.