P E T R A FAUSTINA. veiled head r.Rev.:unidentified. ELAGABALVS. Laureate head r. “IMP C M AVP ANTONINOC”. Rev.: Founder ploughing r,with yoke of oxen. “PETΛA COLONIA”. Mint: Petra. AE 20 17mm. ( 4.20 gr.) Spijkerman 236.56, Sear 3137, VF NABATEA. Aretas IV, 9BC-40 AD. Aretas in military attire stdg.l., holding spear with palm branch in front. Rev.: Queen Shaqilat, veiled, stdg. l. raising r. hand. AE15, (15mm./1.8gr.). NABATEA. Rabbel II & Gamilath.71-106 AD. Conjoined busts r.of Rabbel & Queen Gamilath (wife+sister !) Rev.: two cornucopiae crossed. Aramaic legend “Rabbel Gamilath” , date in exerg, A E1 6, Judea, Samaria, Neapol is (14mm./2.34gr.) , BMC. 28.13.3, Zurqieh, May 2010 (16,45$.)
I wonder what the raised hand gesture signified in Nabatean culture (Queen Shaqilat, veiled, stdg. l. raising r. hand). It reminds me of the early Christian "orans" posture, or standing and praying posture, often seen in depictions of early Christian women. I wonder if it has a similar religious sense here.
Very cool---especially that example that so clearly is inscribed PETRA!! I recently viewed an up-dated TV special on Petra and now have coins of the type on my 'want list'.....
Other examples. Photos from http://numismatics.org/collection/1944.100.51304 http://www.ancientresource.com/imag..._coins/christ-coins/christ-follis-CB2212b.jpg
I visited Petra for the first (and hopefully not last) time earlier this year. It was an absolutely phenomenal, surreal experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
Nice examples @PMONNEY ! I lost out on a low-ball bid for a Nabatean. Still learning about them, and can appreciate @PMONNEY and @John Anthony 's interest in them. The only think that I have that is ROMETELY related is this one: RI Trajan CE 98-117 AR drachm Struck CE 114-116 Arabia Petraea Bostra - Camel SNG ANS 1158 I kept imagining the Camel Caravans travelling up from South Arabia carrying spices, through Petra, and on to the Roman Empire...
Here are my two favorite Nabataean drachms, a first-year issue of Aretas IV, and an issue of Rabbel II. I'd love to add some more drachms to my collection, but just try and find any even half this nice!
I visited Petra in my teens back in eighties and I agree with you. In eastern empire only important, holly people were shown with raised right hand.
That Elagabalus founder coin is pretty darn cool! Here is my $1 Aretas IV. Here a cool virtual tour! https://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Petra-Best-Jordan
Inspired by this thread, I watched this very good documentary on the Nabateans this morning. 50 minutes. Coins very briefly mentioned at 0:42. If you have Amazon Prime, it streams for free. https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Nabateans-Bernard-George/dp/B076FFPHW3
