ARABIA, Himyarites Silver Unit (2.15 grams, 15 mm with bull head & symbols)

ARABIA, Himyarites
AR Unit (Light Drachm)
ca. 50 B.C. – A.D. 50
2.15 gms, 14 to 15.4 mm
Obv: Simple diademed head with symbols in fields. Crescent at top of beaded boarder (lower 50% of beading is off the flan).
Rev: Bucranium (Bull’s head) facing with symbols in fields
Grade: Near Mint, lustrous and properly conserved. Slightly off center on a small diameter planchet.
Other: No listing in Sear for this Himyarite coin. SNG.ANS.1516. The Himyarite tribal confederacy was located in modern day Yemen. Ex Pegasi from Allen Berman October 2013.






Is this coin listed by Sear & perhaps there is a better way to describe the symbols on this coin? I could not find any listings in my limited books.

 

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how cool is that coin? these guys certainly had their own style.

wasn't familiar with the himyarites, or had forgotten about them, i didn't know they were a jewish kingdom...thanks wikipedia.

 

C89 nice pick up, love the bull head..

 

The Nabataeans had extensive dealings with them concerning the frankincense trade. That's a great coin Collect89, and it looks genuine. I've seen quite a few cast fakes on eBay so be careful with these.

Also, calling it a Jewish Kingdom is simplistic and misleading. There were forced conversions in the 5th century BCE after a few kings converted to Judaism, but prior to that time it's more accurate to say Semitic Kingdom. The Jewish monarchy only lasted about a century, till 523.

 

awesome coin!! (hey, quit scoring all of the sweet animal coins!!)



=> it almost looks like a reindeer, rather than a bull? (super-cool coin, congrats)

 

Amazing coin, never seen that type before.

 

Not from Himyar, but Saba'. Munro-Hay 2.2i var. (No letter below bust); SNG ANS 1503-22 var (same). This variety is most likely listed in Hugh's collection, but I have yet to pick up a copy of that excellent publication.

Here is a similar specimen: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=233384

 

The first thing I saw was calamari.

 

I'd like to collect some of these someday, on account of my interest in Arabian coinage. All I can say is it's a good thing we have some pros like Ardatirion floating around - to set us straight if we go too far astray.