Arabia Felix, Himyarite Kingdom. AR Unit or quinarius (1.7 g, 15 mm, scyphate). Raydan mint. Th'aran Ya'ub (mid-late 1st century CE). Obverse: Male head right with hair in ringlets, monogram behind. Reverse: Small male head right with hair in ringlets, to right staff (?), above and behind head inscription in Sabaean naming king, below RYDN (Raydan). Sear Greek Imperial 5721. This coin: Purchased from Zurqieh, October 2024. The Himyarites were one of the main kingdoms active in the southern Arabian peninsula in the region known to the Romans as Arabia Felix (Happy Arabia), which roughly covers the modern territory of Yemen. While calling that impoverished and war-torn region "happy" today would seem perverse, it was not always so. During the first few centuries CE, the local climate was less arid and supported extensive agriculture including frankincense and myrrh, two aromatic plant products which were prized throughout the Mediterranean world for their use in perfumes, incense, and medicines. The region also traded with eastern Africa, including the Axumite Kingdom. The Himyarite Kingdom was active from about 110 BCE to 525 CE, when they were conquered by Axum. The Himyarites seem to have had their own Semitic language called Himyarite (possibly related to modern Amharic of Ethiopia), but inscriptions on coins and elsewhere are written in Sabaean, the Old South Arabian language of their neighbors and eventual subjects. The kingdom was originally polytheistic, but around 380 CE the kings converted to Judaism, perhaps in an attempt to maintain neutrality between their powerful Christian and Zoroastrian neighbors. The most common Himyarite coins are of this type, issued around 50- 150 CE. The standard denomination or unit is often referred to as a quinarius, as it is about the same size and weight as the Roman coin, although we don't know what the local name of the coin was. Several different kings are named in the inscriptions, by far the most common are 'Amdan Bayan and 'Amdan Bayan Yanaf. (It is not even certain if these are actually two different kings, or just two versions of one king's name.) This coin, however, bears the less common king name of Th'aran Ya'ub. Unfortunately historical information on these kings is severely lacking, little is known beyond their names. (Later Himyarite history is better documented, but those rulers don't seem to have any coinage attributable to them.) Coins of this type are scyphate (cup-shaped), with the reverse side in the concave portion. I was able to purchase this specimen (attributed as Himyarite but not assigned to a king) for $36. The toning is rather dark, but considering the nice state of preservation and scarcer king I'd say I did well. Please post your Himyarite or other related coins.
Great score @Parthicus ! Nice hard to get King. My Frankincense coin… Arabia Felix, Himyarite Kings, Tha’ Ran Ya’ NB Ar Unit (Quinarius), 14mm, 1.5g, 5h; Raidan mint, 2nd Century AD. Obv.: Head right, within circular torque, monogram behind. Rev.: Head right, scepter before, kings name and mint in South Arabian Script around. Ref: Munro-Hay 3.25 His comments: Here is a small, ancient Yemeni silver coin, of the Himyarite Kingdom. The Himyarites occupied the area of Southern Arabia known to Romans as Arabia Felix. They produced the frankincense that their Arab cousins, the Nabataeans, exported to the northern world. By the time this coin was minted, however, the Romans had discovered a sea route from Alexandria to Arabia Felix, severely limiting the Nabataean overland trade. The Romans traded extensively with the ancient Yemeni, so I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that these coins are roughly the same weight and fineness of early Imperial quinarii. The script is Ancient South Arabian. Ex: @John Anthony
