I got this coin last year in a middle eastern hoard I acquired. It represents the ruler of Petra, Rabbel II, who reigned from 70-106 over the Nabatean kingdom. The city was famed for its spice trade as well as being the primary crossover point for myrhh and frankincense heading both to the Roman empire and Parthia. Obverse, two heads facing right, Reverse, two crossed cornucopiae. Please share your Nabateans!
I'm not entirely sure that is Rabbel, with that combination rev/obv it could be a few rulers Rabbel II, Malichus II, Aretas IV..... Rabbel II Mint: Petra 70 to 76 AD Obvs: Jugate busts of Rabbel and Queen Gamilat right. Revs: Two crossed cornucopias. AE 14x15mm, 2.4g Aretas IV Mint: Petra 18 to 40 AD Obvs: Jugate busts of Aretas and Shuqailat right. Revs: Two crossed cornucopias. AE 14x17mm, 4.5g Malichus II Mint: Petra 40 to 70 AD Obvs: Jugate busts of Malichus and his wife Shuqailat right. Revs: Two crossed cornucopias. AE 14x15mm, 2.5g
Thanks for the post - Yes it is possible that it is not Rabbel II, a bit hard for me to attribute, but at least I know it's Petra!
The forward bust on the coin is Rabbel II, even though the lettering on the reverse is obscure. I have a website dedicated to Nabataean coins. Here the link for the Rabbel chapter. Click through the next four pages for a thorough overview of his coinage.
Having recently visited Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum, I am planning on a side-collection of Nabataean. The jugate portraits here are great!
I visited Egypt, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Sinai four years ago, great trip! I actually spent four months just traveling around all of the historical sites in these places and of course, climbed Mt. Sinai via the steps of repentance.
Joe, with your resources you could easily acquire some of the very rare early Nabataean drachms of Malichus I and Obodas II. The issue is that they just don't come up for sale very often.
Thanks JA - I definitely need to keep my eyes peeled for them. In hindsight, I should have looked closer at CNG105: there were two relevant lots in the sale. Here's to hoping they're part of a larger group so that I'll see some more the next time they come up!
here's my best jugate bust type! Nabatean Kingdom, Malichus II 40 - 70 AD O: jugate laureate and draped bust of Malichus II and Shuqailat II right R: two cornucopias, crossed and filleted, Aramaic legend, "Malichus / Shuqai/lat" in two lines above and one below cornucopia SNG ANS 1444 16x12 mm 3.1g
Nice addition. Malichus II & Shuqailat II (40 - 70 A.D.) Nabataean Kingdom Æ Unit O: Jugate busts of Malichus & Shuqailatt right R: Crossed Cornucopia 1. WKLM 2. YQS 3. TL from r. to l. MLKW / SQY / LT = Maliku / Shuqailat 19mm 2.51g SNG X I#I444
Very nice coin! It seems like there are lots of Nabateans are out there. Does anyone know how much my coin might be worth? It came out of an unidentified hoard with islamic, judaean, byzantine and roman coins, one seleucid and a few others I can't identify, maybe arabian before muhammad some time.
Well, I'm answering my own post. I googled and found vcoins, Rabbel II coin on sale in similar condition for $21.25.
