Hey folks, I just came across this rare volume, from the library of Bruce R. Brace. Here are the seller's notes... "Ex. Bruce R. Brace library with his Ex Libris bookplate. Bruce Brace was a scholar and by many considered to be a dean of Roman Numismatics in Canada. Coins from his extensive collection were sold by CNG in 2011 and 2012." Brace was the co-founder of the Classical and Medieval Numismatic Society. This is a tough volume to find, long out of print. Again from the seller's notes... "Kindler, Arie THE COINAGE OF BOSTRA. Warminster (UK): Aris & Phillips, 1983. Large format, soft cover. 160 pages with 12 excellent plates with descriptions of coins on opposite pages. Dennis Kroh in his book Ancient Coin Reference Reviews rates this book with 4 stars and says: "The Coinage of Bostra" is a very through study in which the coinage is presented within the context of the history of the city. 57 coin-types are published in 160 pages with 12 great plates of photos." The only reference I currently own for any coins of Provincia Arabia is SNG ANS 6, which, as handsome as it is, is merely a catalog with no analyses. I'm very much looking forward to burying my brain in this new volume.
SNG ANS 6 lists such a reverse type for 4-5g aes of Elagabalus. The description is, "Baetyl of Dusares between two uncertain objects on a small base; all on altar with staircase." It appears that Kindler's cover coin also has two figures on the altar. Priests? Dusares was the chief deity of the Nabataeans, and his worship is attested well into Roman times. In fact, many Nabataean cultural traditions flourished into the Byzantine era. The reverse types of Bostra celebrate a number of Arabian themes, in addition to common provincial motifs like busts of Tyche, etc.
A very good volume to have, if you have any interest in civic issues of that region. Most of the books on those cities are very hard to find, but at least they exist. Someday it will all be superseded by RPC. I'm just not sure if I'll live that long!
Very cool. I may have noticed the name of the City on a few coins, but the only one that comes to mind is the Trajan AR with the camel. Obviously Bostra has much more to offer.
