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#0122
In contrast to Group I, the coins belonging to this group present on
the reverse the combined busts of the royal couple. This custom appe-
ared for the first time on the coins of Obodas III, but later it was suspen-
ded, until AD 19. From AD 20 until the end of Nabataean mintage it
became common practice. The silver coins of this group were struck
through most of this period, with the exception of the 42nd, 43rd, and
45Lh years of Aretas's reign, from which we have no specimens. The po-
ssibility cannot be ruled out, however, that coins from these years will be
found. Moreover, there were interruptions in issues in AD 28 - 30, sińce
no coins have been discovered from the 37lh, 38lh, or 39th years of the
reign of Aretas. In Meshorer's opinion, the interruption must have been
intentional, sińce it occurred in successive years.58 It is difficult, howe-
ver, to find the reason for this phenomenon. It should be remembered,
also, that we also have no inscriptions from these years.59
B. Silver content
In the case of silver coins, the silver content is an essential issue, sińce
it determines their value. The silver coins from the earlier years of Are-
tas (first to sixth years) still have a significant silver content, averaging
above 70%. In this respect they are a continuation of the later coins of
Obodas III, which exhibit a similar standard.
The transition group of coins from the 16th year of Aretas's reign have
a silver content averaging ca. 50%.
The later, third group of silver coins, dated from the 27lh year of the
reign, exhibit a significant fali in the silver content, which varies in the
rangę from 35% to 40%, and in particular cases is even lower. Some
undated coins even show a silver content lower than 20%. The silver
58 Y. Meshorer, op. cit., p. 56.
59 Y. Meshorer cites the analogy to a pause in the issue of Roman coins by the procura-
tors of Judea. Valerius Gratus halted the striking of coins in AD 24, and their issue was not
resumed until Pontius Pilate did so in AD 29. See G. F. Hill, Catalogue ofthe Greek Coins in the
British Museum: Palestine (London 1914), pp. 254-257, nos. 31-53; A. Kindler, "MoreDates on
the Coins of the Procurators", Israel Exploration Journal 6 (1956), pp. 54-57. It should be noted
that in AD 32 Pontius Pilate was also forced to suspend the issue of coins, due to the
reactivation of the imperial mint in Antioch. Cf. E. Bammel, "Syńan Coinage and Pilate",
Journal ofjewish Studies 2 (1950), pp. 108-110.
122
the reverse the combined busts of the royal couple. This custom appe-
ared for the first time on the coins of Obodas III, but later it was suspen-
ded, until AD 19. From AD 20 until the end of Nabataean mintage it
became common practice. The silver coins of this group were struck
through most of this period, with the exception of the 42nd, 43rd, and
45Lh years of Aretas's reign, from which we have no specimens. The po-
ssibility cannot be ruled out, however, that coins from these years will be
found. Moreover, there were interruptions in issues in AD 28 - 30, sińce
no coins have been discovered from the 37lh, 38lh, or 39th years of the
reign of Aretas. In Meshorer's opinion, the interruption must have been
intentional, sińce it occurred in successive years.58 It is difficult, howe-
ver, to find the reason for this phenomenon. It should be remembered,
also, that we also have no inscriptions from these years.59
B. Silver content
In the case of silver coins, the silver content is an essential issue, sińce
it determines their value. The silver coins from the earlier years of Are-
tas (first to sixth years) still have a significant silver content, averaging
above 70%. In this respect they are a continuation of the later coins of
Obodas III, which exhibit a similar standard.
The transition group of coins from the 16th year of Aretas's reign have
a silver content averaging ca. 50%.
The later, third group of silver coins, dated from the 27lh year of the
reign, exhibit a significant fali in the silver content, which varies in the
rangę from 35% to 40%, and in particular cases is even lower. Some
undated coins even show a silver content lower than 20%. The silver
58 Y. Meshorer, op. cit., p. 56.
59 Y. Meshorer cites the analogy to a pause in the issue of Roman coins by the procura-
tors of Judea. Valerius Gratus halted the striking of coins in AD 24, and their issue was not
resumed until Pontius Pilate did so in AD 29. See G. F. Hill, Catalogue ofthe Greek Coins in the
British Museum: Palestine (London 1914), pp. 254-257, nos. 31-53; A. Kindler, "MoreDates on
the Coins of the Procurators", Israel Exploration Journal 6 (1956), pp. 54-57. It should be noted
that in AD 32 Pontius Pilate was also forced to suspend the issue of coins, due to the
reactivation of the imperial mint in Antioch. Cf. E. Bammel, "Syńan Coinage and Pilate",
Journal ofjewish Studies 2 (1950), pp. 108-110.
122