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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Arabia||View Options:   | | |  |
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for an example!RY114286. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4062A (5 spec.), Woytek Cistophore A1h.1, Ganschow X14d, cf. Metcalf Tell Kalak 8-10 (diff. busts), Sydenham Caesarea 224-226 (same), gVF, great centering, fine style obv. showcasing a high point in Roman imperial portraiture, patch of roughness on neck, otherwise smooth surfaces, mild die wear, weight 10.575 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 180o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with wreath atop left standard and hand atop right standard; Published in RPC Online III (#4 = this coin!); very rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Struck for Use in Roman Arabia
This type was previously attributed to Caesarea, Cappadocia, but the Tell Kalak hoard and a lack of finds in Cappadocia indicate the type circulated in Arabia. Slightly more than two-thirds silver, the composition of this type is identical to contemporary Syrian tetradrachms. The weight indicates they are tridrachms, but there is no consensus as to the denomination. Sydenham and Kindler refer to them as tridrachms, McAlee as light tetradrachms, and Butcher as tetradrachms. The type has no iconographic link with Arabia and Arabian drachms are considerably more debased, typically at a 50:50 ratio of silver to bronze. RPC III notes they may have been struck in Rome for circulation in Arabia, or at least, the dies were made in Rome.RS114873. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4071; Henseler 267; SNG Cop 5433 (Caesarea); SNG ANS 1161 (Caesarea); BMC Galatia p. 55, 74 (Caesarea), aVF, fine Roman style portrait, flow lines, highest points weakly struck, tight flan, weight 10.263 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 225o, Bostra (or Rome?, see note) mint, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate and draped bust right, seen from slightly behind; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ς (Tribunicia Potestate Consul VI), distyle temple, podium of four steps, cult image of Artemis of Perge within, eagle standing on pediment with head left and wings open; $300.00 (€282.00)
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Petra, Arabia
| Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean Kingdom, is a famous archaeological site in Jordan's southwestern desert. UNESCO describes Petra as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." The BBC selected Petra as one of "the 40 places you have to see before you die." Accessed via a narrow canyon called Al Siq, it contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the "Rose City." Perhaps its most famous structure is 45m-high Al Khazneh, a temple with an ornate, Greek-style facade, and known as The Treasury. After the last Nabataean king, Rabbel II, died in 106 A.D., Trajan incorporated Nabataea into the Roman province Arabia Petraea. One of the latest known Nabataean language inscriptions, from 191 A.D., records "...This in the year 85 of the Eparchy [Roman Rule], in which Arabs destroyed the land." It seems likely that raiding Arab tribes extinguished what remained of a weakened Nabataean culture. In 747 A.D. what was left of the Nabataean cities was destroyed in a major earthquake. |  |
Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Gerasa, Arabia Petraea
Jerash, Jordan is north of the national capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it's known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman city Gerasa just outside the modern city. Josephus mentions the city as being principally inhabited by Syrians, but also having a small Jewish community. In 106, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture outside of Italy. It is sometimes referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East" due to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation.RP57203. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online VI T9306.4 (same c/m, 7 spec.); Spijkerman 34a.3 (same coin); Rosenberger 41 (same c/m); Sofaer 32; c/m: Howgego 376 (9 spec.), Choice F, well centered, nice sea-green patina, rare fully legible rev. legend; c/m: F, weight 7.065 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Gerasa (Jerash, Jordon) mint, c. 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse AVT KAICAP ANTWNINOC, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse AΛEΞANΔPOC MAKEΔWN, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, countermark: strung bow; very nice for the type!; very rare; $500.00 (€470.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for an example!RY114287. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4062A (5 spec.), Woytek Cistophore A1h.1, Ganschow X14d, cf. Metcalf Tell Kalak 8-10 (diff. busts), Sydenham Caesarea 224-226 (same), aVF, fine style obv. showcasing a high point in Roman imperial portraiture, smooth surfaces, flow lines, light marks, rev. strike weak, weight 10.423 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 195o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with wreath atop left standard and hand atop right standard; Published in RPC Online III (#5 = this coin!); very rare; $250.00 (€235.00)
Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV, 9 B.C. - 40 A.D.
Aretas IV was the greatest Nabataean king, ruling S. Palestine, most of Trans-Jordan, N. Arabia, and Damascus. He took the name Philopatris, lover of his people. Aretas married Shuqailat, his second wife, in 16 A.D. Aretas' daughter Phasaelis was married to, and divorced from, Herod Antipas. Herod then married his stepbrother's wife, Herodias. It was opposition to this marriage that led to the beheading of John the Baptist. After he received news of the divorce, Aretas invaded the territory of Herod Antipas and defeated his army. Paul mentions Aretas in connection with his visit to Damascus, when he had to sneak out of the city in a basket lowered from a window in the wall to escape (2 Corinthians 11:32). Al-Khazneh, one of the most elaborate buildings in Petra, is believed to have been his mausoleum.GB113589. Bronze AE 17, Al-Qatanani 156t2, Barkay CN 187d, Huth 80, Meshorer Nabataean 97, SNG ANS 6 1435, Choice gVF, dark patina, broad flan, highlighting earthen deposits, porosity, flan adjustment marks, weight 3.035 g, maximum diameter 17.2 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, c. 18 - 19 A.D.; obverse Aretas standing facing, looking left, laureate, wearing military dress, scarf and high boots, spear in right hand, left on pommel of sword in scabbard, palm frond left, Aretas' Aramaic (heth ros) monogram upper right; reverse Shuqailat standing left, veiled, wearing long chiton, right hand raised, wreath left, Aramaic legend "Shuqa/ila/t" in three lines on right; $130.00 (€122.20)
Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV and Phasael, 5 - 4 B.C.
Possibly struck in the year of Christ's birth! Jesus was born sometime between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C. Matthew describes King Herod as the ruler during the time of the Nativity, and Herod died in 4 B.C. Later, in order to kill Jesus and eliminate him as a rival king, Herod ordered the "Massacre of the Innocents" - the killing of all male children in Bethlehem aged two years and under. This means that Jesus may have been up to two years old already by that time, and this also sets the Nativity between 6 and 4 B.C. This type was issued in the names of Aretas IV and his son, Phasael, 5 - 4 B.C.GB113590. Bronze AE 14, cf. Al-Qatanani 178 (het ayin on obv.); Barkay CN 118b; Meshorer Nabataean 64; BMC Arabia p. 10, 35; SNG ANS 6 -, VF, dark patina, earthen deposits, scratches, slightly off center, sprue remnant, weight 1.654 g, maximum diameter 13.9 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, 5 - 4 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Aretas right; reverse two cornucopias crossed and filleted, Nabataean PS (peh sade) monogram (Phasael, Aretas' son) in center; scarce; $150.00 (€141.00)
Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV, 9 B.C. - 40 A.D.
Aretas IV Philopatris was the greatest Nabataean king, ruling S. Palestine, most of Trans-Jordan, N. Arabia, and Damascus. During his reign, large religious centers - also serving as banks and trade clearinghouses - were established on the Hauran, in Petra, and at Avdat. Aretas was married to Huldu when he became king. Her profile was featured on coins until 16 A.D. After a short gap, the face of his second wife, Shuqailat, appeared on the coins. Aretas's daughter married Herod Antipas, tetrarch of the Galilee. When Antipas took another wife, Herodias, Aretas's daughter returned to her father, who went to war against Antipas and defeated him. The episode led to the beheading of John the Baptist. Antipas appealed to Tiberius, who dispatched the governor of Syria to attack Aretas. Paul mentions Aretas in connection with his visit to Damascus when he had to to be lowered from the wall in a basket to escape. Al-Khazneh, the treasury, one of the most elaborate buildings in Petra, is believed to have been Aretas' mausoleum.GB113586. Bronze AE 19, cf. Barkay CN 186; Al-Qatanani 169; Meshorer Nabataean 114; BMC Arabia p. 8, 14; Huth 86; SNG ANS 6 1438, aVF, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, near centered on a tight flan, sprue cuts on edge, weight 3.885 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, 16 - 40 A.D.; obverse jugate laureate and draped busts of Aretas IV and Shuqailat right, Nabataean initials het (Aretas) lower left (off flan) and shin (Shuqailat) lower right; reverse two cornucopias crossed and filleted, Nabataean inscription in three lines: TTRH / SQY/TL (Aretas Shuqailat, read right to left, two lines above between the horns, the last line below); $70.00 (€65.80)
Nabataean Kingdom, Malichus I, c. 60 - 30 B.C.
Although he ruled for 39 years, Malichus only minted coins in three years near the end of his reign, his years 26 - 28. The date on this coin is obscure and there is some disagreement about the date of his accession to the throne. This coin was struck sometime between 35 and 31 B.C.GB111366. Bronze AE 17, cf. Meshorer Nabataea 17 - 19; HGC 10 685; Cohen DCA 960 (scarce); Al-Qatanani 24, 25, or 29; Barkay CN 11, 14, or 19, F, brown tone, highlighting enhanced red earthen deposits, obv. edge beveled, weight 3.270 g, maximum diameter 17.2 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, 35 - 31 B.C.; obverse diademed head right; reverse Aramaic legend: Melko the king, king of the Nabataeans, open hand with palm facing, Aramaic regnal year (obscure, 26, 27, or 28) across central field; scarce; $225.00 (€211.50)
Philadelphia, Arabia Petraea, 164 - 165 A.D.
Rabbath-Ammon of the Old Testament, was renamed Philadelphia by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, and is today Amman, Jordan. Genesis identifies the Ammonites as descendants of Ben-ammi, who was born of an incestuous union between a drunken Lot and his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). The Israelite Jephthah crossed the Jordan River "to attack the Ammonites, and the Lord delivered them into his hands" (Judges 11:32). Before the battle, he swore an oath that, for victory, he would sacrifice the first thing to greet him when he returned home - it was his daughter, his his only child, who came out to meet him with tambourines and dancing. At the sight of her, he tore his clothes and said, "Oh, my daughter, you have broken my heart!" and he fulfilled the vow he had made (Judges 11:34-39).GB110783. Bronze AE 17, RPC Online IV.3 6656.4; Sofaer 8; SNG ANS 1379; Spijkerman 3; Rosenberger 28; BMC Arabia p. 37, 2; Meshorer City Coins 257, aF, dark brown patina, earthen deposits, porosity, edge cracks, weight 3.190 g, maximum diameter 17.1 mm, die axis 0o, Philadelphia (Amman, Jordan) mint, rule of Marcus Aurelius, 164 - 165 A.D.; obverse ΦIΛ KOI CYPI, wreathed in grain, veiled and draped bust of Demeter right, two stalks of grain before her; reverse ETOYC ZKC (year 277 [of the Pompeian Era]), two snakes with two stalks of grain between them, rising from cista mystica (wicker basket); Coin Archives records only one specimen of the type at auction in the last two decades; rare; $50.00 (€47.00)
REFERENCES
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