~ Circa 218-201 BC Punic War Era Spanish Coin #1 ~
This rare coin was used in the city of Saguntum/ Arse (Sagunto) around the Second Punic War, this being the place whare the war acutaly started. Arse was capital of Iberian ethnos of Edetans.
It was an allied city of Rome, and its siege by the Carthaginians in 219 BC was the cause of the Second Punic War. People preferred immolation to capitulation. The Romans recovered it seven years after when it was renamed Saguntum.
The Obverse is the Scallop shell within beaded border.
The Reverse depicts the Dolphin swimming right, crescent above, below Iberian legend.
Historical Context: The Second Punic War in Spain (218–201 BC)
During this period, the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania) became one of the main theatres of the Second Punic War — the great conflict between Carthage (under Hannibal Barca) and Rome for control of the western Mediterranean.
After losing Sicily in the First Punic War, Carthage turned to southern Spain to rebuild its wealth and power. The Barcid family — Hamilcar Barca, his son-in-law Hasdrubal the Fair, and later Hannibal — established a Carthaginian empire in Iberia. They exploited the region’s rich silver mines, particularly around Carthago Nova (modern Cartagena), and used this wealth to finance their armies and mints.
When Hannibal attacked Saguntum (a Roman ally) in 219 BC, it provoked Rome and triggered the war. As fighting spread across Spain, both Carthaginian and local Iberian cities issued coinage to pay troops, trade with mercenaries, and express political loyalty.
~ Dimensions ~
The diameter of the coin is 17 mm and it weighs 3.2 grams.
~ Condition ~
The coin is in condition with some wear. Please refer to the pictures.
