Recently, several series of coins from the Levantine region have caught my attention for their great variety in iconography. I refer to coins from major mints such as Samaria, Judea (Yehud), Philistia and Gaza. The earliest are often innovative imitations of the Greek counterparts with eastern flavors, including Egyptian ones. One trait that makes them recognizable is their crude appearance and a silver fabric that seems of lower quality. During the year 2017, I pounced upon two coins of YHD (Yehud). Obverse: Great king head. Reverse: Facing falcon; YHD legend (sadly not visible in both cases!) Anyone else has some early Levantine coins to share to the public?
, Yep, my guess is he will jump in before long with one of his excellent coin displays...at least I hope he does! They are always very well done.
This is the closest I have said to be minted in Samaria but of the Sidon Phoenician type under Persian rule circa 350 BCE. It has the Phoenician letter "ayin" on the reverse which was told to me to be a Samarian mint mark but not sure of the validity of that. It is an obol-1/16th shekel. Catalog: Hendin 1039 Samarian Coinage, Silver ma'ah-obol. Galley to left. with oars, rudder, row of shields; double line of waves below)(Persian king on left standing, fights lion standing on hind legs, left hand on lion's head, right holds dagger. 0,73 gram, 9 mm.
Outside of all my Carthage Punic (Roman name for Phoenicians) coinage, I only have this coin from Phoenicia in the Levant area... TYRE: (yes, they made tyres [British sp] there in anticipation of the future automobile market. Far-thinking merchants as they were known for... ) Additionally, Tyre FOUNDED Carthage. Tyre 1/16th shekel 10mm 0.47g 425-394 BCE hippocamp l over waves - owl with crook flail Sear Greek 5916.BMC Tyre 43 SNG Danish 302
My earliest Samarian coin comes from the middle period. SAMARIA, “Middle Levantine” Series. Bedyehibel (or Beruhibel, or Yehibel). Circa 375-333 BC, obol, 9mm, 0.50g. Obv: Facing gorgoneion (?) Rev: ࠁࠃࠉࠇࠁࠋ (=BDYHBL); Forepart of Pegasos left. CNG, auction 97, September 2014, lot 323 (Patrick H. C. Tan Collection) Meshorer & Qedar 17; Sofaer 95 Meshorer and Qedar say the inscription BDYHBL should be read as the inscription BD YHBL “by the hand of Yehibel.”
That one has a good provenance. They are often so crude they look like they could easily be made in a Bulgarian garage (and with the prices attached!)so I have not trusted the authenticity.
Beautiful Yehudi hemiobol (s), @Napata ! Judaean coins of the Persian period are a not yet for me. I've had my eye on them for a while but have not clicked the mouse. Your coins look like the one numbered 429 in the Hendin catalog. My earliest Judaean coins are of the Seleucid period.
Like @Deacon Ray above, my main collecting interest in coins that intersect in some way with the Bible, but also like the good deacon I do not have any Samarian coins. Maybe I'll fix that in 2018?
The closest I have is a Seleucid coin of Ascalon that borders Gaza. Alexander I Mint: Ascalon Year 164, 149/148 BC Obvs: Head of Alexander right. Revs: BACIA on left, AΔEΞ on right, Asphlaston between. Mintmark ACK outter right, year ΔΞP outter left. 12x13mm, 1.31g
In honor of Chanukah which ended yesterday but does not really end cause it is bout religious freedom, here is a coin minted by the fourth great grandson of Yehudah the Maccabbee aka Judah the Hammer. Mattathias Antigonus, the last priest-king of the Hasmoneans 40-37 BCE. four prutah(since everyone is going biblical thought I would post this too)
JUDAEA: Judaea Alexander Janneaeus 103-76 BC AE Prutah Wheel Widows Mite Hendin 1350 Judaea Pontius Pilate 26-36 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342 Judaea Pontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Judaea Pontius Pilate - Prutah IOYLIA KAICAPOC daughter of Caesar Augustus Henin1341
Boo yeah! Me and are twins, Orfew! Deacon Ray gave me an 8 prutot from Herod too. I can't show it right now because Bell sucks and cancelled my internet. Erin
For Judean (YHD/Yehud) coins, there are other means to self-authenticate that they are the real thing. For instance, I use the excellent compiling work of Jean-Philipe Fontanille named Menorah Coin Project to match a recent lot to one of those listed in the past. For the two Judean coins above, I did check beforehand and found out exact matches, which prompted me to "pounce" on these lots. From YHD-16 class, here are the two matches found to my first coins: Both originally came from David Hendin himself; he is one of the leading experts in Biblical coins (if not the leader) in the world and legally eked out these coins with permission from Israel government. Then, it was listed by Mr. Fontanille himself, being another leading expert in Biblical numismatics. The lovely thing with the second coin is I obtained it for a fraction of the $350. Real deal and a good deal altogether. Indeed, these silver coins are so crude in appearance that they look straight from a Bulgarian garage. I think the fact that these coins are not really part of the numismatic mainstream helps a little. It is not as rampant compared to Roman coinage.
Thanks for the great clarification on this critical issue of authenticity. I have always wanted some ancient Judean silver but never had the resources or the definite provenance to make a purchase. If they came from David Hendin then they are the real deal. Awesome find Napata! I have a coin with his provenance that I value greatly- A Faustina Jr. from Neopolis:
Yes, Erin—you have the companion ANACS certified Herod 8-prutot from my Herod the Great large denominations buying frenzy last year. I have four more of them (2 NGC slabbed and 2 not slabbed) that I have decided to keep. The ANACS pieces are beautiful and I couldn't think of two better Curators for them than you and Mr. Orfew. Internet providers can be a challenge to deal with—I hope you get back online soon!
