thanks for replying v-drome. These coins are fascinating for me too.
The great numismatic scholar Ya'akov
Meshorer published in
his book (1997, "A Treasury of
Jewish Coins: From the
Persian Period to
Bar Kokhba" or as known to any
Jewish coin collector simply as
TJC) a small 1 page section on these coins as addendum. He published 13/14 minute coins that are
Jewish related (Because
his book was on that subject).
Hamburger, as you know didn't published a single "
Jewish" minima probably because at the time that he wrote
his article (1954) they were thought to be regular
Jewish coins only made carelessly in
Caesarea and not minima coins.
You have in your
collection 6 of such
Jewish related minute coins (I wrote comments on 3 of them to refer them to
Meshorer TJC publication
types). I've found 3 such coins in the box.
Meshorer strongly believed (and he noted that many numismatic scholars feel the same today - meaning, in 1997) that these coins were imitations of coins found in circulation in
Caesarea and that they were issued in order to provide small change
money, which was missing.
I don't know of comprehensive or updated article on the subject other than that since
Hamburger publication that not include all
types (You have some unlisted
type and I have found some more) and in
his own words (I'm translating from
his article in Hebrew to English): "The author has several other coins whose identity remains obscure, although they are preserved in
very good condition, and therefore they are not mentioned here (meaning, in
his article).
The article discusses only some of the existing types, and it is expected that new findings will emerge, as well as descriptions of the miniature coins in other collections, which may complement the picture."
I've added unlisted
type that I've found in the box from the 50's.
Hamburger listed 16 coins with
Head of
Tyche on
obverse and galley on
reverse. You have also listed 10
types in your
gallery (
Hamburger types) and I have found several as well, but none similar to this one.
Obverse shows a what looks to be a male figure (Not a
Tyche or a woman) and the
reverse shows unlisted relatively detailed galley. I've illustrated (Sorry for the lack of
talent in the
field) to show emphasize the unusual galley design.
Regarding the box – It's not yours !!
it actually contains several small cardboard boxes (None of matchboxes..): one reads, "Weaving
Weights" and inside are stones with holes in them. Another says: "Coins" (That inside I've found the coins..) and another says nothing but inside there are stones like the Neolithic finds you've published in your
gallery, one of them is dated 1957. Another says, "Metal finds from
Caesarea" in which there are different objects some unknown such as the one I've added. Anybody have any idea for what that is ? Both
side are a
bit decorated as can see and the back
side has hollow place like a sort of buckle (But its small to be one I think). 13.5 mm' X 27 mm', 2.89 gr' in
weight.
Will look forward to new minima coins you will upload in your
gallery.