Sicily. Entella? (as “People of the Camp”). Siculo-Punic Coinage, circa 300-289 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26.32 mm, 16.18 g). Head of young Herakles/Melqart right, wearing lion skin headdress; border of dots. Rev. ''MHMHNT'' ("People of the Camp" in Punic), Horse's head left; behind, palm tree; border of dots. Jenkins, SNR 57 (1978), pl. 5, 317 (O101/R261 same dies). Viola CNP 271 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen Africa 89 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1642 (same dies). De Luynes 1449 (same dies). Buceti 89 (same dies). Cf. HGC 2, 293. Attractively toned, with wonderful iridescence on the reverse. An impressive coin, well centred, struck from fresh dies of the finest style. Near Extremely Fine.

Purchased from Astarte 18 December 2002.

The Punic inscription on this coin names "the People of the Camp" leaves no doubt about its use to pay the numerous foreign (primarily Italic) mercenaries that swelled the armies of Carthage during its conflict with the Greek cities for dominance on Sicily. "People of the Camp" issues are usually attributed to Entella.