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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Greek Imperial| ▸ |Decapolis, Arabia & Syria||View Options:   | | | In 63 B.C., Syria was incorporated into the Roman Republic as a province following the success of Pompey the Great against the Parthians. The Decapolis means "the ten cities" in Greek, yet we don't really know how many cities there were, or where they were. In 106 A.D., under the Roman emperor Trajan, the Nabataean Kingdom and the cities of the Decapolis were incorporated into the newly established Provinces of Syria and Arabia. In 135 A.D., after the defeat of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, Roman Syria and Judaea were merged into the province Syria Palaestina. The province Coele-Syria was split from Syria Palaestina in 193. Syria became part of the splinter Palmyrene Empire for a brief period from 260 to 272, when it was restored to Roman central authority. In the 3rd century, with the Severan dynasty, Syrians even achieved imperial power. |
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., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114280. Silver tetradrachm, RPC Online III 3536, McAlee 459 (rare), Wruck 156, Prieur 1514, VF, centered, double struck, areas of mild porosity, edge cracks, weight 14.051 g, maximum diameter 25.8 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 109 - 110 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle at point of bust standing right with wings closed; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IΔ YΠAT E (tribunicia potestate XIV, consul VI), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck, tied at front; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114277. Silver tetradrachm, RPC III 3533, Prieur 1496, McAlee 458, Wruck 151, VF, broad flan, double struck, edge cracks, graffito X obverse right field, weight 14.097 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle standing right with wings closed at point of bust; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IE YΠAT E (Tribunicia potestate, consul V), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck tied at front, cruder larger bust style variant; $350.00 (€329.00)
Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Domitian was at first effective and he spent much of his time in the provinces preserving order. But his reign was marred by paranoia and cruelty in his latter years and he executed many Senators. He was murdered in a plot, allegedly involving his wife.RP114884. Silver tetradrachm, RPC II Online 1976, McAlee 396 (scarce), Prieur 143, Wruck 106, SNG Righetti 1938, BMC Galatia -, SNG Cop -, VF, nearly centered, flow lines, light double strike, weight 14.384 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 81 - 82 A.D.; obverse AYTOK KAIΣAP ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣEB (Imperator Caesar Domitian Augustus), laureate bust right, wearing aegis with snake; reverse ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY B (New Holy Year 2), eagle standing right on fulmen (thunderbolt), wings open, head right, tail left, palm frond on right curving left; scarce; $350.00 (€329.00)
Roman Provincial Syria, Lot of 13 Bronze Coins, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.
The following list was provided by the consignor and has not been verified by FORVM:
1) Augustus, AE24 As (11.2g), Cypriot mint, 27-23 B.C., CAISAR (sic), bare head right / AVGVSTVS in two lines in laurel wreath, RIC I 485, RPC I 2231.
2) Augustus, AE20, Berytus, Phoenicia, RPC I 4540.
3) Tiberius, AE26, RPC I 4270.
4) Nero, AE26, Antioch, RPC I 4307, countermark, RPC I lists two specimens with different countermarks.
5) Domitian. AE as, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, laureate head left / large S C within laurel wreath, McAlee 409(b).
6) Trajan, AE18, Cyrrhestica, Beroea, legend in wreath, RPC I 3431.
7) Askalon, Judaea, AE16, Year 26 = 116/7 AD, veiled bust of Tyche right / galley right.
8) Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, AE20, Aradus, Phoenicia, humped bull charging right. BMC 379.
9) Phoenicia, Tyre, Elagabalus, Æ29, IMP CAES M AV ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, oval countermark of Melqart right / SEPTIM TVRO / COLO Astarte standing left, holding scepter and crowning trophy to left, palm tree to inner left, murex shell to inner right, to outer right, column surmounted by crowning Nike left, cf. BMC Tyre 390; c/m: Howgego 15, Ex Richard Baker collection.
10) Elagabalus, AE16 (3.87g), Wreath around SC.
11) Elagabalus, AE19, Antioch, radiate head right / SC in wreath, ram right, head turned back, McAlee 791a.
12) Elagabalus, AE20, radiate head right / SC and eagle in wreath, aVF.
13) Philip I, AE32, Antioch, Syria, Tyche.
LT110949. Bronze Lot, 13 Roman provincial Syria bronze coins, 14.6mm - 28.8mm, mostly F, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.; no tags or flips, the actual coins in the photograph, as-is, no returns, 13 coins; $300.00 (€282.00)
Galba, 3 April 68 - 15 January 69 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Galba was governor of Hispania Tarraconensis when proclaimed emperor by his troops, 3 Apr 68. The Senate recognized his authority in Jul 68. His avarice, ruthlessness, and refusal to pay a promised donative to the praetorian guards made him unpopular. He was assassinated in a conspiracy plotted by Otho, 15 Jan 69.RY114291. Silver tetradrachm, RPC Online I 4195; Wruck taf. III, 56; Prieur 95; McAlee 304; SNG Hunterian 2849, F, scratches, areas of mild porosity, polished, weight 14.412 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, die axis 45o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 68 A.D.; obverse ΓAΛBAC AUTOKPATΩP CEBACTOC KAICAP (clockwise from upper right), laureate head right, star lower right; reverse ETOYC NEOY IEPOY·A, eagle standing left on fulmen (thunderbolt), head left, wings partially open, palm frond left; first specimen of the type handled by FORVM; scarce; $300.00 (€282.00)
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)
Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
| The ruins of Antioch on the Orontes lie near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey. Founded near the end of the 4th century B.C. by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch's geographic, military and economic location, particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, the Persian Royal Road, benefited its occupants, and eventually it rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and as the main center of Hellenistic Judaism at the end of the Second Temple period. Antioch is called "the cradle of Christianity," for the pivotal early role it played in the emergence of the faith. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. Its residents are known as Antiochenes. Once a great metropolis of half a million people, it declined to insignificance during the Middle Ages because of warfare, repeated earthquakes and a change in trade routes following the Mongol conquests, which then no longer passed through Antioch from the far east. |  |
Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Struck to pay Titus' legions during and after the First Jewish Revolt. RPC notes between 69 and 73 A.D. about 320 different dies were used, indicating about 6,500,000 Syrian tetradrachms might have been minted. This was the quantity Titus would have needed to pay his four legions. Hoard evidence finds many of these types in Judaea confirming they were used to pay the legions.RP114882. Silver tetradrachm, McAlee 334/2 (same dies); RPC II 1945; Prier 112; Wruck 79; BMC Galatia p. 179, 230; cf. SNG Cop 166 (year 1), VF, nice portrait, full obv. legend, flow lines, rev. a little off center, light marks, small closed edge cracks, weight 14.971 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 69 - 70 A.D.; obverse AYTOKPAT KAIΣA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY, laureate head right; reverse ETOYC B IEPOY (of holy year 2), eagle standing left on club left, head left, tail right, wings open, upright palm frond on left curving right; $300.00 (€282.00)
Trebonianus Gallus, June or July 251 - July or August 253 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
The Persians occupied part of Syria in 251 A.D. and took and burned Antioch in 256 A.D. and again in 260 A.D.RY113509. Billon tetradrachm, RPC Online IX 1792; McAlee 1172(b); Prieur 658; BMC Galatia p. 227, 637; SNG Hunterian 3110; Dura Coins 579, EF, much mint luster, small rust encrustations, weight 12.255 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, first issue, Jun/Jul 251 - 252 A.D.; obverse AYTOK K Γ OYIB TPEB ΓAΛΛOC CEB (Imperator Caesar Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus Augustus), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, •• below bust; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC (holder of Tribunitian power), eagle slightly right, wings open, head left, tail left, wreath in beak, B between legs, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; $280.00 (€263.20)
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