Yes, Aretas IV. Nice coin! The eagle-right variety is scarce. I have two of the eagle-left coins... Welcome to the forum, friend.
You're welcome. The eagle was an important symbol to the Nabataeans, although its meaning is lost. There is one bit of archaeological evidence that suggests the eagle was associated with the god Qos, the national deity of the Edomites. A Nabataean statue of an eagle is found at Bostra, with an inscription dedicated it to Qos. The eagle is found on the first truly Nabataean coinage, that of Malichus I... It continues on the coinage of Obodas II... And is used on the coinage of Aretas IV, as we've already posted.
John, was the eagle on the Aretas IV a commemorative issue like the standing figure coins were? They seem quite a but rarer than the portrait coins.
No, just a regular issue minute bronze, same denomination as the bust/cornucopias and bust/wreath types. As far as I know, the only commemoratives are the one you mention, celebrating the marriage of Aretas IV and Shaqilat, and the one celebrating the birth of Phasael.
Cool coins and a terrific explanation JA.....Hmmm, I wonder if the 'Eagle' also might have any connection with the Ptolemaic coinage that presumably preceded it...
Inasmuch as the Nabataeans appropriated Greek designs into their coinage, yes. But the Nabataean eagle is more closely modeled after the eagle on the Tyrian shekel. Malichus I minted the first truly Nabataean coinage, and it was modeled after the standards of the Tyrian shekel in both weight and fineness. See this page on my website. An interesting bit of circumstantial evidence for the eagle as a powerful Nabataean religious symbol occurs in the history of Herod the Great. He erected an eagle at the Temple of Jerusalem. (Herod was half-Nabataean, half-Judaean, and evidently had no issue mixing religious symbols.) Putting an eagle on the Jewish temple so incensed both the Pharisees and Sadducees that an angry mob tore it down. When Herod found out, heads rolled. It's difficult to believe the eagle wasn't an important religious symbol to the Nabataeans, or else, why would the Judaeans have made such uproar over its erection at the Temple of Jerusalem? It wasn't merely a decoration, but an idol of heathen foreigners.
Thanks for all of you. I know that all of you focus on ancient coins but this one should be related to coins. The second challenge I face actually with this ancient Nabatean figure with full details ans amazing desert patina. I cant match it with any heads on the Nabatean coins?? I dont have any idea. I feel this pendant its important and scare one specially in this perfect conditions.
I love artefacts as well....they seem to greatly complement coinage...as that wonderful pendant does...
My guess on the pendant is Al-'Uzza, the Nabataean appropriation of Aphrodite. You won't match any depictions of Nabataean gods in statuary or jewelry to the coins. Aside from a few tesserae, the coins only depict kings and queens.
Thanks for all of you. All the best. Sorry for late to reply. I hope dear John Anthony if you can provide us with the important & Scare Nabatean coins with photos
I'm working on a website dedicated to Nabataean Numismatics, but I've just started and there is much missing. I hope to have it finished by the end of the year... Nabataean Numismatics
Here's my Aretas IV: Aretas IV, Philopater, 9 BC - AD 40, and wife Shaquilath I. Nabatean AE 17.5 mm, 4.30 g. Nabatea, Petra. Obv: Jugate busts of Aretas and Shaquilath to right. Rev: Two cornuacopiae, crossed; between them Aramaic legend, "Aretas, Shaquilath" in three lines. Refs: Meshorer 114; SGI 5699; BMC 28.9,23; Forrer 212.
