Israel Numismatic Research

Published by the Israel Numismatic Society

Volume 3 2008

Contents

3 JAROSŁAW BODZEK: A Note on a Samarian Coin-Type

Abstract

The article focuses on a Samarian issue showing on the obverse a head in a tiara

(kyrbasia) and the forepart of a horse on the reverse (Meshorer and Qedar 1999:97, Nos.

75–76). The forerunner for the types under discussion must be sought among issues

produced by different Achemenid officials in northwestern Asia Minor (Mysia, Troas),

where coins of the same or similar types were relatively widespread in the fourth century

BCE. It is probable that the Samarian issuing authority consciously chose iconographic

types recalling the Achemenid aristocratic ethos with which the local community was

presumably familiar.

13 HAIM GITLER, MATTHEW PONTING and OREN TAL: Metallurgical Analysis of

Southern Palestinian Coins of the Persian Period

Abstract

By means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES),

metallurgical analyses of southern Palestinian coins of the Persian period were

performed. The main group of analyzed coins consists of dome-shaped quarter sheqels

(“drachms”), which were struck from worn, recut and repolished obverse dies that based

on their circulation were defined as Edomite. In addition, several Philistian coins were

analyzed as a reference group. Our results suggest that much of the silver bullion used for

striking the Edomite and Philistian coins originated in the Greek world, most probably

from Athenian ‘owls’ and that Edomite coinage was probably produced by a central

Philistian minting authority based on identical silver content.

29 JEAN-PHILIPPE FONTANILLE: Extreme Deterioration and Damage on Yehud Coin

Dies

Abstract

A significant proportion of Yehud coins was struck from dies that had been damaged one

way or another. The damage could have been caused by excessive wear, breaks or errors

during the striking process (clashed dies). The paper presents illustrations of all three

phenomena and discusses their implications.

45 JEAN-PHILIPPE FONTANILLE and CATHARINE C. LORBER: Silver Yehud Coins

with Greek or Pseudo-Greek Inscriptions

Abstract

The authors report the discovery of a new class of Yehud coins that share the facing

head/owl types of TJC:199, Nos. 20–23, but are inscribed with Greek characters instead

of paleo-Hebrew or Aramaic.

51 PERE PAU RIPOLLÈS: The X4 Hoard (Spain): Unveiling the Presence of Greek

Coinages during the Second Punic War

Abstract

A specific lot of Greek coins coming from one of the most important hoards buried in

Spain during the last or first decade of the third-second century BCE is described in detail.

Attention is drawn to their role in the economy of this time period, in which coins were

valued by users for their silver content. The Second Punic War war and related troop

movements fostered the spread of Greek coins far from their minting area on a scale not

previously seen.

65 GEORGES VOULGARIDIS: Some Thoughts on Mints, Monograms and Monetary

Magistrates. Two Case Studies: the Mints of ‘Akko-Ptolemais and of Ascalon

under the Seleucids

Abstract

Based on his experience in studying two important Seleucid mints in Palestine, ‘Akko-

Ptolemais and Ascalon, the author poses several questions about the monograms and the

symbols on Seleucid coins: Who is behind them? Why do they appear on the dies? What

information about the mints do they provide? No firm answers are given, but a discussion

is begun.

81 OLIVER D. HOOVER: Ptolemaic Lead Coinage in Coele Syria (103–101 BCE)

Abstract

Two lead series frequently found in the Transjordan and bearing the types of Zeus-

Ammon/eagle and Zeus/eagle are catalogued and discussed. On the basis of typology and

the inscription B–a it is argued that the lead issues imitate and evolved from a Ptolemaic

bronze coinage probably produced under Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X. On the basis of the

connection to the Ptolemaic bronze series, it is suggested that the lead series were struck

as a form of emergency money during the ‘War of Scepters’ (103–101 BCE), which

involved Ptolemaic troop movements in Transjordan and elsewhere in Coele Syria.

87 DAVID HENDIN and ILAN SHACHAR: The Identity of YNTN on Hasmonean

Overstruck Coins and the Chronology of the Alexander Jannaeus Types

Abstract

A previously unpublished Hasmonean coin, which was overstruck twice, proves beyond

doubt that at least one group of coins bearing the name yntn must be attributed to Alexander

Jannaeus. This coin also contributes to establishing a definitive chronology for the

striking of the various Jannaeus types.

95 MOSHE FISCHER and ZVI GUR: The Coin Finds from Horbat Mazad

Abstract

Horbat Mazad lies on one of the Roman roads between Jerusalem and Jaffa, on the

segment connecting Abu Ghosh and Emmaus. A total of 116 coins were retrieved in

systematic excavations (1977–1980) at the site. The 88 coins dated to the Hellenistic and

Early Roman periods (second century BCE–first century CE) are presented and discussed

here. Most of the coins were found in rather accurate archaeological contexts, bestowing

upon them significantly greater value for numismatic research.

117 CECILIA MEIR: Tyrian Sheqels and Half Sheqels with Unpublished Dates from

the ‘Isifya Hoard in the Kadman Numismatic Pavilion

Abstract

The history of the ‘Isfiya hoard consisting primarily of sheqels and half-sheqels of the

autonomous coinage of Tyre is summarized. Ten unrecorded dates deriving from the

Kadman Numismatic Pavilion holdings of the hoard are presented.

125 ALLA KUSHNIR-STEIN: Reflection of Religious Sensitivities on Palestinian City

Coinage

Abstract

There can be little doubt that the early coinages of Neapolis, Sepphoris and Tiberias

reflected the religious sensitivities of the majority of their respective populations, both

Samaritans and Jews. This is true of the issues of the first century CE, but not of later

centuries. The change in iconography is usually explained by intervention of the emperor

Hadrian, who is assumed to have transferred the government of these cities from Jews and

Samaritans to pagans. This paper discusses the possibility of such measures having been

taken by Vespasian in the aftermath of the first Jewish revolt.

137 YEHOSHUA ZLOTNIK: Coin Finds and the Question of the Conquest of Jerusalem

by Bar Kokhba

Abstract

Finds of Bar Kokhba coins in Jerusalem are often interpreted as negating the possibility of

the conquest of the city by Bar Kokhba rebels. They are said to be too few in number to

support the idea of such a conquest. However, when these finds are compared with the

finds of other contemporaneous coins discovered in Jerusalem, especially those of Aelia

Capitolina under Hadrian, a different picture emerges. The proportion of Bar Kokhba

coins among these finds does not appear to be negligible and accordingly, Bar Kokhba’s

conquest of Jerusalem may be considered a possibility.

147 ZVI URI MA‘OZ: Ships on Roman Provincial Coins in the Southern Levant:

Voyages on the River Styx

Abstract

This paper suggests that some warships depicted on coins of southern Levantine coastal

mints, and surprisingly also some inland mints, owe their appearance to local myth. Greek

mythologies — and a Talmudic legend referring to a miraculous Argonaut trip from

Tiberias to Paneas—are adduced to reconstruct the netherworld course of the River Styx

as it flowed from Arabia to Sidon passing by the Yarmukh River and the towns of Gadara,

Tiberias and Paneas. It is possible that other war-ships on southern Levant coins have

mythological associations.

163 BRUNO CALLEGHER: A Provincial Weight from after the Monetary Reform of

538 CE

Abstract

Arectangular shaped copper object in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem has been identified

as a Byzantine one-ounce scale weight, or exagium, deriving from some city in the Syria-

Palestine area. It has not been possible, however, to establish whether it was used in the

retail trade or for checking coins. The bust of Justinian I depicted on the obverse of this

albeit rather crude exagium provides its definite terminus post quem of 538 CE.

175 D. MICHAEL METCALF: Crusader Numismatics: How Immobilized Types are

Classified, How Chronologies are Revised and Verified, and How Coins are

Attributed to Their Mints

Abstract

A large hoard of Crusader coins recently found in Syria, allegedly at Hârim, allows us to

re-examine the traditional chronology of the coins of the Crusader states (Antioch,

Tripoli, Jerusalem) in the second half of the twelfth century. The location of the mint or

mints in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem is discussed, with reference also to the gold

coinage.

189 Review: Oliver Hoover, Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of

Arthur Houghton, Part II. New York 2007 (Danny Syon)

192 Review: Bruno Callegher. Cafarnao IX. Monete dall’area urbana di Cafarnao

(1968–2003). Jerusalem 2007; Cécile Morrisson, Vladislav Popoviæ † and

Vujadin Ivaniševiæ, Les Trésors monétaires Byzantines des Balkans et d’Asie

Mineure (491–713). Paris 2006 (Gabriela Bijovsky)

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