By the mid-third century BCE, the western Mediterranean was a stage for monumental ambitions. At the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula, in Bruttium, the local culture found a common cause with Carthage. This silver quarter shekel was struck during that high-stakes alliance, between 215 and 205 BCE. While it was produced far from the central mints of the empire, the coin displays the exceptional artistry of a master engraver, a sign that Carthaginian standards of beauty remained uncompromising even at the furthest edges of their reach.
At the center of this design sits a silver quarter shekel from 215–205 BCE. On the obverse, the goddess Tanit appears in profile, wreathed in grain with features that are calm and perfectly measured. When the setting is turned, the reverse reveals a horse standing in a pose of balanced strength. This compact, powerful figure is a tribute to the celebrated gold coinage of Carthaginian history. Because the coin is mounted on its original axis within a custom rotating system, you can choose which side to reveal, making the act of wearing it a constant, personal interaction with the ancient world.
The design is built around the soft, historic character of the silver. Crafted in 18-carat yellow gold with a brushed finish, the gold absorbs light to create a sophisticated, muted glow.
The coin is held within a circular frame where the surface is worked in fine granulation. This ancient technique involves the delicate fusion of tiny gold spheres to create a rich, textured field. Set at rhythmic intervals within this gold are grey diamonds. Their smoky, understated brilliance adds a layer of contemporary light that respects the age of the silver, highlighting its history without overshadowing it.
This ring is a witness of a world-defining era. It is an invitation to hold a rare artefact of history in a design that is as dynamic and resilient as the goddess it portrays.
