The first of these 2 coins has something like the star of David on obverse including the letters LS. The second has Arabic legend and is Islamic, but I'm not sure if it belongs to the Umayyad era. They weigh respectively 2.84 g. and 2.10 g. The first is thicker than the second coin. please assist me to identify them better.
I am not certain of it, but I think the top coin may be from Morocco. Not my area of interest, but it may give you a lead. I am sure one of our experts in the field will tell us.
+1 to Morocco. To my knowledge there were no ancient Jewish coins depicting the Start of David (Seal of Solomon). More knowledgeable members might confirm/correct this.
First coin is almost certainly Morocco (they used a six-pointed star on crude bronze coins around the 18th-19th centuries). On the obverse, the (Arabic) letters from right to left seem to be KA, with a small H at the left (the letter forms imply that KA is one word, while H is by itself). What that stands for, I have no idea. On the reverse, I think the inscription starts with S. I didn't see this type in my Krause, but searching Morocco coins more diligently should turn up something. On the second coin, obverse and reverse are switched. It's probably Umayyad but maybe Abbasid (early Abassid script looks similar to Umayyad). I can recognize the Kalima, but... yeah, that just confirms that it's Islamic, which was not hard to guess. Maybe someone can tease out a mint and/or date from the rest of the inscription? Hope this was somewhat helpful.
The top coin is Syrian, an anonymous Mamluk fals of Hamah, undated, believed struck c. 1341-1342. There were no less than six sultans who reigned in that short period. Within circle on obverse, ضرب (was struck). Within star on reverse, بحماه (at Hamah). Album 931H. The second coin is probably 'Abbasid, certainly of that era. Mint and date are not immediately visible but part of the governor's name بن علي (bin 'Ali) is clear in the obverse margin at 6h.
The Star of David was not used as a Jewish symbol in ancient times or even for much of the European Middle Ages. It didn't become common until the 17th century CE and later. The menorah was the most common symbol of Judaism in the ancient world.
I feel very grateful for all your kind assistance. I remember I had a lamp with a 6-pointed star on reverse. I searched, but I find only this with a Menorah on the obverse. Hope it will enrich this thread, before I leave out of town. Thank you.
