A dealer that I've acquired some Nabataean coins from offered this attractive Prutoh starter set. For all my interest in coins of the Levant, I haven't yet explored Judaean, so I suppose it's time to start. These are all well-centered with handsome detail (for prutoh), and a nice variety of types. When I receive them, I'll post larger images with a write-up for each coin. For now, seller's pics and notes, but this seller takes great pics and specializes in Judaean coinage, so here they are... 1. Agrippa AE Prutah Hendin 1244, Struck 41/42 C.E.. Obverse: Date LS (Year 6 - 41/42 C.E.) flanks three ears of barley and leaves Reverse: Inscription around royal umbrella-like canopy 2. Jewish War AE Prutah (Scarcer!) Year Three Hendin 1363, Struck year three 68/69 C.E. Obverse: Rimmed amphora with lid, paleo hebrew inscription YEAR THREEO Reverse: Vine leaf on small branch with tendril, inscription FREEDOM OF ZION 3. Antonius Felix Procurator under Claudius AE Prutah Hendin 1347, Dated year 14 - 54 C.E. Obverse: Inscription (Julia Agrippina) within wreath Reverse: Two crossed palm branches, legend around and date below 4. Porcius Festus Procurator under Nero AE Prutah Hendin 1351, Dated year 5 = 58/59 C.E. Obverse - Inscription (of Nero) within wreath, bottom tied with X Reverse - LE KAICAPOC, palm branch (Date year 5 = 58/59 C.E.)
Very cool pickups, JA .... coincidentally, I just posted my only two Prutah-examples on another thread (which usually doesn't stop me from posting them again, but perhaps I'll wait a sec?) => again => very cool additions (apparently the Judaeans were big into shrubbery and grains, eh?)
$5 each ... $50 each? ... $500 each? None of my business, I realize (but curious, because I see them go for a whole lotta cash sometimes, but occasionally I see 'em goin' for peanuts) ... nevermind if I'm crossing a line, my friend (I usually ignore the cash-questions) Cheers
Let's just say a nice discount - considerably less than the going rate if you were to buy each coin separately.
Yes, much poorer condition is typical, from what I see on the market. And higher grades become prohibitively expensive, at least for me. These are a good compromise between extremely crappy and extremely pricey.
BTW, congratulations on that Nabataean drachm - a very nice coin indeed. You may have had more competition, but I got the hammer time wrong and logged in half an hour late! lol
Nah, I haven't gone for any Nabataeans recently, not really on my radar. Must have been an imposter Nemo! I only have two, the one below and an unattributed drachm that I'll take a picture of and post tomorrow. NABATAEA. Aretas IV, with Shaqilat. 9 BC-AD 40. Æ Drachm (17mm, 3.64 g, 12h). Petra mint. Struck AD 20-40. Jugate busts of Aretas and Shaqilat right; Aramaic [ḥēth]-shin across field / Crossed cornucopias. Meshorer, Nabataea 114
oh cool JA, looks like you picked up "the greatest hits of the judean coins". i do keep an eye out for a bargain pick up, but this is the only one i've snagged thus far. mines better in hand, but not nearly as nice as yours...that's a pretty solid one!
Judaean coins are VERY addictive. Especially if you start getting into barbarous issues and countermarks. Don't say I didn't warn you! I snapped a picture of my unattributed drachm. 16mm 3.60g. I don't expect others to do my dirty work but if anyone recognizes it, I would love an attribution.
Nice Judaeans JA. Just a few from my collection to throw in: Top: Jewish War prutah year 2 Center: John Hyrcanus II Bottom: Coponius, Prefect of Judaea
The king's bust is clearly Aretas IV. Here is one from my collection, Rabbel II. This coin has much more legend on it than typical, for any Nabataean drachms...