The Israel Numismatic Society
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Meshorer Prize, 2013
New Publication November 2025:
New Publication:
A Corpus of Samarian Coinage from the Persian Period, Volumes I & II
By Haim Gitler, Mati Johananoff, and Oren Tal
Numismatic Studies and Researches (NSR) XIII and XIV, Jerusalem 2025
A Comprehensive Re-evaluation of Ancient Levantine Coinage
This two-volume monograph, A Corpus of Samarian Coinage, is the definitive culmination of a major research program focused on the Samarian minting authority during the Persian period. This coinage represents one of the earliest and most varied official coinages produced in the southern Levant, likely being issued from the late fifth century BCE until after the Greco-Macedonian conquest.
While building on earlier scholarship, this work offers a substantive re-evaluation of the field. It incorporates numerous newly identified coin types and establishes a robust, modern classification system essential for all future study. The data is based on an exhaustive, multi-year study of the entire corpus of known Samarian issues, involving the global examination of specimens in publications and in public and private collections.
While building on earlier scholarship, this work offers a substantive re-evaluation of the field. It incorporates numerous newly identified coin types and establishes a robust, modern classification system essential for all future study. The data is based on an exhaustive, multi-year study of the entire corpus of known Samarian issues, involving the global examination of specimens in publications and in public and private collections.
Volume I: Studies in Samarian Coinage
Volume I provides historical and analytical framework and the crucial context for understanding this coinage within the socio-cultural and geopolitical environment of the Persian-period Levant.
Core studies include:
Core studies include:
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Introduction: History of Research
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Monetization: Process and Patterns of Coin Use
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Hoard Analysis: Detailed analysis of all relevant hoards
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Archaeological Finds: Critical review of finds from controlled excavations
These core numismatic studies are augmented by specialized thematic contributions by leading experts:
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Economic and Geo-Political Context (by Jan Dušek)
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Iconography (by Patrick Wyssmann)
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Socio-Cultural Identity (by Magnar Kartveit)
A comprehensive Appendix details the archaeometallurgical investigation (in collaboration with Dana Ashkenazi and Maayan Cohen), featuring the extensive results of hundreds of SEM-EDS analyses.
Volume II: Catalogue of Samarian Coin Types
Volume II presents the most significant numismatic contribution: a vastly expanded new typology and repertoire of Samarian issues organized into a new, authoritative typology. This critical classification system is divided into seven comprehensive categories to clarify the mint’s output and chronology:
- Category I: Place Name, Abbreviations Thereof and Related Types
- Category II: Personal Names, Deity Names, Abbreviations Thereof, and Misc. Letters
- Category III: Anepigraphic with Achaemenid and Regional Influences
- Category IV: Athenian-Styled Probably Minted in Samaria
- Category V: Sidonian-Styled Possibly Minted in Samaria
- Category VI: Uncertain Attributions to Samaria
- Category VII: Reattributions
A Corpus of Samarian Coinage is indispensable for academics—archaeologists, historians, and numismatic researchers—as well as collectors and auction houses. The fully updated and revised analysis provides a powerful and essential tool for assessing the circulation and wider implications of this pivotal coinage in the ancient Levant.
Publication and Ordering Details
- Publication: Israel Numismatic Society (https://www.ins.org.il/) in a limited edition. The study and publication of this project were supported by the Israel Science Foundation.
- Format: Elegant linen hardcover (608 pages specified in original), including 1:1 scale images of all coins in the corpus appearing in both volumes, enlarged 3:1 images in the catalogue and illustrations, most of them in color.
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Pricing (two-volume set):
- Standard Price: $200 or €175 (+ shipping).
- Introductory Offer: $175 or €150 (+ shipping) offered up to December 31, 2025.
- INS Members: Entitled to a 50% discount (+ shipping).
- Members of the Israel Numismatic Society are entitled to a special price of 285 NIS in the two-volume monograph launching date, Sunday, November 23, 2025, 18:00, conditioned on pre-order.
Note: All proceeds will be dedicated to promoting additional publications by the Israel Numismatic Society.
For Orders Please Contact: Yizhar Shamir yizhar.shamir@gmail.com
Method of Payment – Electronic Bank transfer to:
- Beneficiary: Israel Numismatic Society
- Bank: Bank Leumi le’Israel B.M., Paz Towers Branch (666), Ramat Gan
- Swift (Bic) Code: LUMIILITXXX
- IBAN: IL78 010 666 00000 50803612
New Publication:
The City of Gaza in the Roman Period: The Numismatic Evidence (First Century BCE–Third Century CE)
Corpus Nummorum Palaestinensium VI
Yoav Farhi, Jerusalem 2025
This book is a comprehensive discussion examining the production and significance of the coinage struck by the city of Gaza under Roman rule from the conquest of this region by Pompey (64/3 BCE) to the end of the municipal minting in the second quarter of the third century (241/2 CE).
The data presented are based on the study of some 4494 bronze and silver coins minted in Gaza during the Roman period. As many specimens as possible were located during some 20 years of a through and wide search, at various publications and in public and private collections especially in the Middle East, Europe and the USA. The catalogue presents 318 types with hundreds of variants and the photographs of 833 coins.
This is the first time that such comprehensive research has been conducted regarding a polis in Roman Palestine with a vast volume of minting as in the case of Gaza. This research, which examines the coinage of the largest and most important city in southern Roman Palestine, contributes not only to a better understanding of the city itself, but also can offer new perspectives on the broad subject of city coins of the Roman period, and especially those of this region.
The book is hardcover, elegantly designed and includes 500 pages and 102 illustrations, plates and maps, most of them in color. It was published by the Israel Numismatic Society in a limited edition (see attached file).
The price of the book is USD 175 or € 155 + shipping.
An introductory price of USD 155 or € 135 € (+ shipping) is offered up to August 31, 2025.
Members of the Israel Numismatic Society are entitled to a 20% discount+ shipping.
For orders please contact Yizhar Shamir: yizhar.shamir@gmail.com
Method of payment:
Electronic Bank transfer to: Bank Leumi le’Israel B.M., Paz Towers Branch (666), Ramat Gan Swift (Bic) Code: LUMIILITXXX IBAN: IL78 010 666 00000 50803612
Beneficiary Customer Name: Israel Numismatic Society
All proceeds will be dedicated to promoting additional publications by the Israel Numismatic Society.
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The data presented are based on the study of some 4494 bronze and silver coins minted in Gaza during the Roman period. As many specimens as possible were located during some 20 years of a through and wide search, at various publications and in public and private collections especially in the Middle East, Europe and the USA. The catalogue presents 318 types with hundreds of variants and the photographs of 833 coins.
This is the first time that such comprehensive research has been conducted regarding a polis in Roman Palestine with a vast volume of minting as in the case of Gaza. This research, which examines the coinage of the largest and most important city in southern Roman Palestine, contributes not only to a better understanding of the city itself, but also can offer new perspectives on the broad subject of city coins of the Roman period, and especially those of this region.
The book is hardcover, elegantly designed and includes 500 pages and 102 illustrations, plates and maps, most of them in color. It was published by the Israel Numismatic Society in a limited edition (see attached file).
The price of the book is USD 175 or € 155 + shipping.
An introductory price of USD 155 or € 135 € (+ shipping) is offered up to August 31, 2025.
Members of the Israel Numismatic Society are entitled to a 20% discount+ shipping.
For orders please contact Yizhar Shamir: yizhar.shamir@gmail.com
Method of payment:
Electronic Bank transfer to: Bank Leumi le’Israel B.M., Paz Towers Branch (666), Ramat Gan Swift (Bic) Code: LUMIILITXXX IBAN: IL78 010 666 00000 50803612
Beneficiary Customer Name: Israel Numismatic Society
All proceeds will be dedicated to promoting additional publications by the Israel Numismatic Society.
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Israel Numismatic Research 19 (2024)
Now Available (January 2025)
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