DOI article:
Cieciela̢g, Jerzy: Coins of Aretas IV, king of Nabataeans (9 BC - AD 40)
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21230#0123
coins can be used to exemplify thc successive phases of devaluation in
the reign of Aretas IV.60
Numerous silver Nabataean coins dated from AD 20 onwards were
found in a hoard from Murabba'at. On this basis Meshorer presumes
that the Nabataean coins struck before that date were made of high-
grade silver, as a result of which they disappeared from circulation, and
perhaps were even melted down. Given the presence on the market of
coins with a lesser standard, their continued use would not serve any
particular purpose.61
C. Bronze coins of Aretas and Shuąailat
The richest group in the Nabataean monetary system consists of the
bronze coins of Aretas and Shuąailat. Since these are not dated, other
evidence is used to establish their chronology, primarily stylistic criteria,
which of course cannot produce a precise dating system.
As of today, we may state that the earliest date on which bronze coins
appear with the name of Shuąailat is AD 18. From that moment until
AD 40 they were struck in large ąuantities.
There exists an interesting group of coins that represent an innova-
tion in Nabataean numismatics. In Meshorer's opinion they were struck
immediately after Shuqailat's coronation. They may be described as fol-
io ws:
Obverse: Aretas IV in laurel wreath, standing straight like a soldier,
looking to the left, holding a spear in his right hand and supporting
himself with the left hand on a sword in a sheath fastened to his belt; his
hair is falling on his neck; in the field on the left there is a palm branch;
on the right, a monogram
Reverse: Shuąailat standing (to the left), in veil and long garment,
with right hand raised and outstretched, holding a palm branch; in the
field on the left side, a wreath; on the right, in three lines, the inscrip-
tion n/bypfr (Shuąa / ila / t)
This is the first time the entire figurę of the Nabataean king is shown,
dressed in a military uniform consisting of plate and mail armor. The
60 Y. Meshorer, op. cit., p. 57.
1,1 Ibidem, p. 57.
123
the reign of Aretas IV.60
Numerous silver Nabataean coins dated from AD 20 onwards were
found in a hoard from Murabba'at. On this basis Meshorer presumes
that the Nabataean coins struck before that date were made of high-
grade silver, as a result of which they disappeared from circulation, and
perhaps were even melted down. Given the presence on the market of
coins with a lesser standard, their continued use would not serve any
particular purpose.61
C. Bronze coins of Aretas and Shuąailat
The richest group in the Nabataean monetary system consists of the
bronze coins of Aretas and Shuąailat. Since these are not dated, other
evidence is used to establish their chronology, primarily stylistic criteria,
which of course cannot produce a precise dating system.
As of today, we may state that the earliest date on which bronze coins
appear with the name of Shuąailat is AD 18. From that moment until
AD 40 they were struck in large ąuantities.
There exists an interesting group of coins that represent an innova-
tion in Nabataean numismatics. In Meshorer's opinion they were struck
immediately after Shuqailat's coronation. They may be described as fol-
io ws:
Obverse: Aretas IV in laurel wreath, standing straight like a soldier,
looking to the left, holding a spear in his right hand and supporting
himself with the left hand on a sword in a sheath fastened to his belt; his
hair is falling on his neck; in the field on the left there is a palm branch;
on the right, a monogram
Reverse: Shuąailat standing (to the left), in veil and long garment,
with right hand raised and outstretched, holding a palm branch; in the
field on the left side, a wreath; on the right, in three lines, the inscrip-
tion n/bypfr (Shuąa / ila / t)
This is the first time the entire figurę of the Nabataean king is shown,
dressed in a military uniform consisting of plate and mail armor. The
60 Y. Meshorer, op. cit., p. 57.
1,1 Ibidem, p. 57.
123