Israel Numismatic Research
Published by the Israel Numismatic Society
Volume 5 2010
Contents:
13 NOVELLA VISMARA: Kuprlli or Kherẽi: a Problem of Attribution or a Problem of Method?
21 JAROSŁAW BODZEK: Tiarate Heads on Samarian Coins
39 YOAV FARHI: A Silver-Plated Samarian Coin from Tel Dor
49 YEHOSHUA ZLOTNIK: A Hoard of Alexander the Great from the Region of Syria
59 CATHARINE C. LORBER: A Gold Mnaieion of Ptolemaic Cyprus at Tell Kedesh: Background and Context
77 WALTER C. HOLT AND NICHOLAS L. WRIGHT: A New Seleucid Bronze Coin and Dura Hoard 13 Revisited
85 ALLA KUSHNIR-STEIN: Inscribed Hellenistic Weights of Palestine
111 HAIM GITLER AND DANIEL MASTER: Cleopatra at Ascalon: Recent Finds from the Leon Levy Expedition
143 YANIV SCHAUER: Mint Remains from Excavations in the Citadel of Jerusalem
153 JEAN-PHILIPPE FONTANILLE: The Barbarous Coins of Judea
167 FERNANDO LÓPEZ SÁNCHEZ: Military Units of Mark Antony and Lucius Verus: Numismatic Recognition of Distinction
183 YIGAL RONEN: Coins as Scale Weights
187 CECILIA MEIR: Tyrian Sheqels from the ‘Isfiya Hoard, Part Two
195 JULIAN BAKER: The Tel ‘Akko hoard of Venetian Torneselli
205 RUTH JACOBY: Tokens for Sheḥita and Miqve from Samarkand
213 REVIEW: Nikolaus Schindel, Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum Israel. Vienna, 2009. (Stuart D. Sears)
The Ismailiya Hoard 1983
Wolfgang Fischer-Bossert and Haim Gitler:
Abstract
A small hoard of coins found near Ismailiya, Egypt, in 1983 is helpful for establishing a pre-400 BCE date for some Philistian issues. It will be argued that the Philistian inhabitants started minting Athenian-styled coins before the Attic output came to a sudden stop during the Decelean War (413–404 BCE).
Kuprlli or Kherẽi: a Problem of Attribution or a Problem of Method?
Novella Vismara
Abstract
Since its appearance in about 2000, the Lycia 2000 hoard has focused critical attention on the anepigraphic issue depicting a ‘lion attacking a bull’ (obverse) and ‘bull’ walking right or left with triskeles above (reverse). The two series were separately attributed to the rulers Kuprlli and Kherẽi. But these coins are attributable neither to Kuprlli nor Kherẽi. Rather than argue for a new attribution, we need to be asking: What political, cultural or economic reasons may there have been for the minting authority not to have identified itself with an inscription — as was done on other contemporaneous issues?
A Silver-Plated Samarian Coin from Tel Dor
Yoav Farhi
Abstract
This article presents a Samarian silver-plated “drachm”/rbʻ šql that was recently found at Tel Dor. Depicted on the obverse is a combat scene between two warriors. The author suggests a new reading for the letters on the obverse and discusses the iconography of the coin, which has no parallel in any other Persian-period coins. Yet, some analogy to the scene on the coin is found in Achemenid cylinder seals and suggests that this specific coin type originated in glyptic art.
A Hoard of Alexander the Great from the Region of Syria
Yehoshua Zlotnik
Abstract
This article presents part of an allegedly Syrian hoard including 75 Alexander III, Philip III Arrhidaeus and Seleucus I tetradrachms and compares it with other contemporaneous regional hoards. The hoard was buried after 294 BCE. The author examines the possibility that some Alexander III coins attributed by Price to “Babylon” may have in fact been struck more locally.
A Gold Mnaieion of Ptolemaic Cyprus at Tell Kedesh: Background and Context
Catharine C. Lorber
Abstract
A gold coin from Ptolemaic Cyprus, dated 191/0 BCE, was found during excavation of a Seleucid administrative building at Tel Kedesh. A review of pertinent hoards suggests that money did not flow from Cyprus to Coele Syria and Phoenicia in the first decades of the second century BCE. Most likely this high-value coin reached Kedesh through some contact between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid elites.
A New Seleucid Bronze Coin and Dura Hoard 13 Revisited
Walter C. Holt and Nicholas L. Wright
Abstract
An unpublished bronze coin in the name of King Antiochus allows a reattribution of a key coin from Hoard 13 at Dura-Europos. The coin is assessed in light of the available evidence and the hoard re-dated.
Cleopatra at Ascalon: Recent Finds from the Leon Levy Expedition
Haim Gitler and Daniel M. Master
Abstract
All known specimens of the autonomous tetradrachms of Ascalon minted during the first century BCE are presented. Included are the specimens depicting royal male portraits (type immobilisי of Antiochus VIII) minted between 99/8 and 50/49 BCE, at which point there was a radical break with the appearance of portraits of Cleopatra VII on the city’s silver. These tetradrachms are very rare and so far only four issues of year 55 (50/49 BCE) and one of year 66 (39/8 BCE) were known. Three recently identified specimens of an unpublished year (65=40/39 BCE) have also been recorded.
Mint Remains from Excavations in the Citadel of Jerusalem
Yaniv Schauer
Abstract
Excavations at the Jerusalem Citadel (the Tower of David) conducted by Ruth Amiran and Avraham Eitan yielded interesting finds suggesting that a mint may have been operating in this part of Jerusalem during the first century BCE. These finds have never been properly published. In addition to addressing this problem, points for further discussion are offered.
The Barbarous Coins of Judea
Jean-Philippe Fontanille
Abstract
Notable barbarous coins minted in Jerusalem and Gamla are presented here. Possible explanations for the phenomenon are suggested: They are either ancient fakes, coins from local (non-central) workshops, or the work of apprentices. Only a few dies were cut by master engravers, and the rest were imitations made by apprentices. Some of these apprentices were more skilled than others.
Military Units of Mark Antony and Lucius Verus: Numismatic Recognition of Distinction
Fernando López Sánchez
Abstract
Certain aurei and denarii forming part of the so-called ‘legionary series’ of Mark Antony (32/1 BCE) allow us to learn more about a little-known victory of Mark Antony at the beginning of 31 BCE. Also, two denariiminted in an Antonine style in the year 165/6 CE lead us to the conclusion that Lucius Verus personally took part in the capture of Ctesiphon. The elite military units of these two Roman generals were honored with special coin issues.
Coins as Scale Weights
Yigal Ronen
Abstract
In antiquity coins were modified to become scale weights. Two types of modifications were made: into square-shaped weights or circular weights with scalloped (serrated) rims. Such scale weights were used both in the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Tyrian Sheqels from the ‘Isfiya Hoard, Part Two
Cecilia Meir
Abstract
The paper presents the remaining 69 Tyrian sheqels of regular style from the Kadman Numismatic Pavilion holdings of the ‘Isfiya hoard.
The Tel ‘Akko hoard of Venetian Torneselli
Julian Baker
Abstract
A hoard of 28 Venetian torneselli covering the period 1365-1400, found near the city of ‘Akko, provides an opportunity to review the monetary relations between Latin Greece and the later medieval Levant.
Tokens for Sheḥita and Miqve from Samarkand
Ruth Jacoby
Abstract
This article deals with an unexpected find in Samarkand, central Asia — tokens of ritual slaughter and ritual bath — which are typical for western communities.
REVIEW: Nikolaus Schindel, Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum Israel. Vienna, 2009
(Stuart D. Sears)
