Nabataean Numismatics

[stevex6]

Here is my example ... maybe it'll help?

NABATAEAN,
ARETAS IV & SHUQAILAT, AE17
9BC – 40 AD
Diameter: 17 mm
Weight: 4.11 grams
Obverse:  jugate busts of Aretas IV & Shuqailat
Reverse: Crossed Cornucopias, Petra
Reference: SNG Part 6 #1438

NOTE: 9 BC to 40 AD are the dates of Aretas IV's rule. This particular type was minted in his last year, 39/40 AD, and it continued through the reigns of Malichus II and Rabbel II

[Jochen]

Hi Steve!

Nice coin. But the problem is the legend above the heads and the two x, which are not found on your coin.

Best regards
Jochen

[stevex6]

whoops, okay (sorry)

[Jochen]

Now I got an answer from Altamura in the German Forum which I want to share:


"Now further variants of these bronze coins have been found (nos. 80, 81) which show the same sign X as the silver issue of year 29. We believe that this sign marks year 4 of queen Shaqilat and that this was the year of the currency reform when the new bronze type was introduced. In order to mark the changes, several features on the new coins were altered. Aretas wears a moustache, Shaqilat has a love-lock (as opposed to an earring), and the numeral 4 was added on both silver and bronze coins in the first year of the new issues. If 29 is the fourth year of Shaqilat then the marriage between Aretas and Shaqilat fell in his 25th year, which corresponds to ad 16."

Karl Schmitt-Korte, "Nabataean Coinage—Part II. New Coin Types and Variants", The Numismatic Chronicle Vol. 150 (1990), pp. 105-133.

The X above the heads on obv. may be part of Areta's headdress.

Best regards
Jochen

[Altamura]

... Now I got an answer from Altamura in the German Forum which I want to share: ...

I haven't been here in the Forvm for over a week and didn't see the posting here, shame on me  .

Regards

Altamura

[Jochen]

Now I got a coin with X below the crossing of the cornucapias. The coin is not well preserved, but the X is clearly visible_

Aretas IV Philopatris & Shuqailat I, 9 BC - AD 40 Nabatean: Harithath
AE 17, 2.31g
Petra, AD 39/40
obv. Jugate busts of Aretas IV, with moustache, draped and laureate, r., and queen Shuqailat, draped and diademed, r.
       above heads שלמ (written out)
       transcibed from r. to l.:
       (Sh)LM
       = shalom (whole)
rev. 2 crossed filleted cornucopias between Nabatean legend in 3 lines:
       חרתת / שקי / לת below לת X
       from r. to l. (transcribed):
       HRTT / SQY / LT below LT X
       = Harithat / Shuqailat
ref. cf. Meshorer Nabatean 112
F+, black patina, sandy deposits

According to Meshorer Shalom (whole) is the name for a new denomination, which was omitted later when this denomination has been established. According to Schmitt-Korte the X below the crossing of the 2 cornucopias appears on the types with the written-out שלמ

Jochen

[Joe Sermarini]

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?pos=100&sold=1&vpar=976&iop=50&galview=0&vorderby=pricedesc

[Jochen]

Hi Finn!

Meshorer calls it Obodas III. The name of the queen is not mentioned at all. It seems to be Meshorer 23.

Best regards

[Finn235]

I wish! Meshorer 23 is a silver didrachm, not an AE. I'll have to work on the legend later and see what I can at least transliterate.

[Canaan]

Reviving this topic, finally i added a decent example of Aretas eagle AE
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-149640

[Jochen]

Legend error on Nabataean coin

Nabatean Kingdom, Rabbell II & Gamilat, Meshorer 163A var.
Rabbel II, AD 70-106
Nabatean: Rab'el
AE 17, 3.11g, 17.23mm, 0°
Petra, AD 101/102
obv. joined busts of Rabbel II and his queen Gamilat
rev. 2 crossed cornucopias, within Nabatean legends in 2 lines:
רבאל / גמל (sic!)
from r. to l. (transcribed):
RB'L / GML (sic!)
= Rab'el / Gamilat
ref. Meshorer 163A var.
about VF, complete legends, small flan

On this coin we find a legend error: T of GMLT omitted! But I have been said that this occured more often, e.g. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5373332 The L is omitted.

Best regards