DOI Artikel:
Cieciela̢g, Jerzy: Coins of Aretas IV, king of Nabataeans (9 BC - AD 40)
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21230#0107
mintagc the striking of coins in this denomination was halted after the
seventh year of the reign of Obodas III (24 BC). Since to dale this is the
only known example of a Nabataean half-shekel struck after this date,
Meshorer has advanced the hypothesis that its issue shortly after Aretas
IV's accession to the throne was caused by some sort of political or presti-
ge considerations.14
He also refers to the discovery of a smali silver coin, upon which he
bases the conclusion that in the first year of Aretas IV's reign a special
series of commemorative coins was struck, in three different denomina-
tions: half-shekel, denarius, and half-denarius.15
The coins struck towards the end of Aretas's first year were now done
by a more talented artist, and are remarkable for their beauty. Only one
head is placed on each side (which remained the case until AD 19), and
moreover, for the first time in the history of Nabataean mintage, the
Queen's name is mentioned on the coins. The date is given on the coins
in numerals, 1 nnttf (Year 1), and not in words. The written-out date
appears for the last time on silver coins from the second year of the
reign, "PITU"! rDCtf. On the specimens of this group, the King's head is in
a laurel wreath, whereas after the fourth year the head of Aretas IV in
diadem disappears completely. The issue of the coins from the second
sub-group was continued in the second, third, fourth, and sixth years of
the reign.16
A. Heads of Group I
1. Head of Aretas IV. This appears in two forms: (a) In the earlier,
"archaic" form a diadem is placed on the head, the hair falls down stra-
ight onto the neck and covers the ears; a robe is wrapped around the
shoulders. (b) In the later, "new" form, the diadem has been replaced
with a laurel wreath, and the hair is longer and wavy. The head is presen-
ted alone, without shoulders and robe. On the front of the laurel wreath
there is a decoration in the shape of the letter V. In all likelihood this is
merely the stamp of the Nabataean mint.
14 Ibidem, pp. 28, 42.
15 Ibidem, p. 43.
"s Ibidem, p. 43.
107
seventh year of the reign of Obodas III (24 BC). Since to dale this is the
only known example of a Nabataean half-shekel struck after this date,
Meshorer has advanced the hypothesis that its issue shortly after Aretas
IV's accession to the throne was caused by some sort of political or presti-
ge considerations.14
He also refers to the discovery of a smali silver coin, upon which he
bases the conclusion that in the first year of Aretas IV's reign a special
series of commemorative coins was struck, in three different denomina-
tions: half-shekel, denarius, and half-denarius.15
The coins struck towards the end of Aretas's first year were now done
by a more talented artist, and are remarkable for their beauty. Only one
head is placed on each side (which remained the case until AD 19), and
moreover, for the first time in the history of Nabataean mintage, the
Queen's name is mentioned on the coins. The date is given on the coins
in numerals, 1 nnttf (Year 1), and not in words. The written-out date
appears for the last time on silver coins from the second year of the
reign, "PITU"! rDCtf. On the specimens of this group, the King's head is in
a laurel wreath, whereas after the fourth year the head of Aretas IV in
diadem disappears completely. The issue of the coins from the second
sub-group was continued in the second, third, fourth, and sixth years of
the reign.16
A. Heads of Group I
1. Head of Aretas IV. This appears in two forms: (a) In the earlier,
"archaic" form a diadem is placed on the head, the hair falls down stra-
ight onto the neck and covers the ears; a robe is wrapped around the
shoulders. (b) In the later, "new" form, the diadem has been replaced
with a laurel wreath, and the hair is longer and wavy. The head is presen-
ted alone, without shoulders and robe. On the front of the laurel wreath
there is a decoration in the shape of the letter V. In all likelihood this is
merely the stamp of the Nabataean mint.
14 Ibidem, pp. 28, 42.
15 Ibidem, p. 43.
"s Ibidem, p. 43.
107