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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Greek Imperial| ▸ |Decapolis, Arabia & Syria||View Options:  |  |  |   

Roman Provincial Coins from the Decapolis, Syria and Arabia

The Decapolis means "the ten cities" in Greek, yet we don't really know how many cities there were, or where they were. In 106 A.D., under the Roman emperor Trajan, the Nabataean Kingdom and the cities of the Decapolis were incorporated into the newly established Provinces of Syria and Arabia.

Click here to read "The Decapolis of Jordan" by Rami G. Khouri

Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Gerasa, Decapolis, Arabia

|Roman| |Arabia|, |Elagabalus,| |16| |May| |218| |-| |11| |March| |222| |A.D.,| |Gerasa,| |Decapolis,| |Arabia||AE| |20|
Jerash, Jordan is north of the national capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it?s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman city Gerasa just outside the modern city. Josephus mentions the city as being principally inhabited by Syrians, but also having a small Jewish community. In 106, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture outside of Italy. It is sometimes referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East" due to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation.
RP57203. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online VI T9306.4 (same c/m, 7 spec.); Spijkerman 34a.3 (same coin); Rosenberger 41 (same c/m); Sofaer 32; c/m: Howgego 376 (9 spec.), Choice F, well centered, nice sea-green patina, rare fully legible rev. legend; c/m: F, weight 7.065 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Gerasa (Jerash, Jordon) mint, c. 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse AVT KAICAP ANTWNINOC, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse AΛEΞANΔPOC MAKEΔWN, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, countermark: strung bow; very nice for the type!; very rare; $575.00 (€540.50)
 


Roman Provincial Syria, Lot of 13 Bronze Coins, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.

|Multiple| |Coin| |Lots|, |Roman| |Provincial| |Syria,| |Lot| |of| |13| |Bronze| |Coins,| |c.| |30| |B.C.| |-| |250| |A.D.||Lot|
The following list was provided by the consignor and has not been verified by FORVM:
1) Augustus, AE24 As (11.2g), Cypriot mint, 27-23 B.C., CAISAR (sic), bare head right / AVGVSTVS in two lines in laurel wreath, RIC I 485, RPC I 2231.
2) Augustus, AE20, Berytus, Phoenicia, RPC I 4540.
3) Tiberius, AE26, RPC I 4270.
4) Nero, AE26, Antioch, RPC I 4307, countermark, RPC I lists two specimens with different countermarks.
5) Domitian. AE as, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, laureate head left / large S C within laurel wreath, McAlee 409(b).
6) Trajan, AE18, Cyrrhestica, Beroea, legend in wreath, RPC I 3431.
7) Askalon, Judaea, AE16, Year 26 = 116/7 AD, veiled bust of Tyche right / galley right.
8) Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, AE20, Aradus, Phoenicia, humped bull charging right. BMC 379.
9) Phoenicia, Tyre, Elagabalus, Æ29, IMP CAES M AV ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, oval countermark of Melqart right / SEPTIM TVRO / COLO Astarte standing left, holding scepter and crowning trophy to left, palm tree to inner left, murex shell to inner right, to outer right, column surmounted by crowning Nike left, cf. BMC Tyre 390; c/m: Howgego 15, Ex Richard Baker collection.
10) Elagabalus, AE16 (3.87g), Wreath around SC.
11) Elagabalus, AE19, Antioch, radiate head right / SC in wreath, ram right, head turned back, McAlee 791a.
12) Elagabalus, AE20, radiate head right / SC and eagle in wreath, aVF.
13) Philip I, AE32, Antioch, Syria, Tyche.
LT110949. Bronze Lot, 13 Roman provincial Syria bronze coins, 14.6mm - 28.8mm, mostly F, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.; no tags or flips, the actual coins in the photograph, as-is, no returns, 13 coins; $300.00 (€282.00)
 


Trebonianus Gallus, June or July 251 - July or August 253 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria

|Antioch|, |Trebonianus| |Gallus,| |June| |or| |July| |251| |-| |July| |or| |August| |253| |A.D.,| |Antioch,| |Seleucis| |and| |Pieria,| |Syria||tetradrachm|
The Persians occupied part of Syria in 251 A.D. and took and burned Antioch in 256 A.D. and again in 260 A.D.
RY113509. Billon tetradrachm, RPC Online IX 1792; McAlee 1172(b); Prieur 658; BMC Galatia p. 227, 637; SNG Hunterian 3110; Dura Coins 579, EF, much mint luster, small rust encrustations, weight 12.255 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, first issue, Jun/Jul 251 - 252 A.D.; obverse AYTOK K Γ OYIB TPEB ΓAΛΛOC CEB (Imperator Caesar Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus Augustus), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, •• below bust; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC (holder of Tribunitian power), eagle slightly right, wings open, head left, tail left, wreath in beak, B between legs, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; $280.00 (€263.20)
 


Trajan Decius, September 249 - June or July 251 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria

|Antioch|, |Trajan| |Decius,| |September| |249| |-| |June| |or| |July| |251| |A.D.,| |Antioch,| |Seleucis| |and| |Pieria,| |Syria||tetradrachm|
In 256 A.D., about six years after this coin was struck, the Persian King Shapur conquered and plundered Antioch.
RY113510. Billon tetradrachm, RPC Online IX 1689; McAlee 1126(a); Prieur 576; BMC Galatia p. 222, 579; Dura Coins 506; SNG Cop -, Choice gVF, toned, red and green areas, weight 10.471 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 250 - 251 A.D.; obverse AVT K Γ ME KY TPAIANOC ΔEKIOC CEB (Imperator Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, one pellet below; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC (holder of Tribunitian power), eagle standing left on palm branch, head left, tail right, wings spread, wreath in beak, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; $250.00 (€235.00)
 


Nabataean Kingdom, Malichus I, c. 60 - 30 B.C.

|Nabataean| |Kingdom|, |Nabataean| |Kingdom,| |Malichus| |I,| |c.| |60| |-| |30| |B.C.||AE| |17|
Although he ruled for 39 years, Malichus only minted coins in three years near the end of his reign, his years 26 - 28. The date on this coin is obscure and there is some disagreement about the date of his accession to the throne. This coin was struck sometime between 35 and 31 B.C.
GB111366. Bronze AE 17, cf. Meshorer Nabataea 17 - 19; HGC 10 685; Cohen DCA 960 (scarce); Al-Qatanani 24, 25, or 29; Barkay CN 11, 14, or 19, F, brown tone, highlighting enhanced red earthen deposits, obv. edge beveled, weight 3.270 g, maximum diameter 17.2 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, 35 - 31 B.C.; obverse diademed head right; reverse Aramaic legend: Melko the king, king of the Nabataeans, open hand with palm facing, Aramaic regnal year (obscure, 26, 27, or 28) across central field; scarce; $225.00 (€211.50)
 


Augustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D., Uncertain Mint, Anatolia or Syria

|Roman| |Asia|, |Augustus,| |16| |January| |27| |B.C.| |-| |19| |August| |14| |A.D.,| |Uncertain| |Mint,| |Anatolia| |or| |Syria||AE| |27|
The mint, the quaestor who struck this type, and even the identity of the person in the portrait remain uncertain. The type has previously been attributed to Macedonia and the portrait identified as Brutus (Friedlander) or Caesar (Grant). David Sear notes the type has never been found in Macedonia. Finds point to Syria or Anatolia. It is possible that the type was issued, with his own portrait, by Sosius, a general under Marc Antony who was quaestor in 39 B.C. Much more likely, however, the portrait is of Augustus.
RP111713. Bronze AE 27, RPC I 5409; Sear CRI 957 (Syria); AMNG III 226, pl. III, 6; FITA 13, F, dark green patina, weight 18.142 g, maximum diameter 27.4 mm, die axis 0o, uncertain Anatolian or Syrian mint, c. 39 B.C.(?); obverse bare head right; reverse hasta (spear), sella quaestoria (quaestor's seat of office), and fiscus (imperial treasury), Q (quaestor) below; previously a rare type but recent finds have made it easier to acquire; $180.00 (€169.20)
 


Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Petra, Arabia

|Roman| |Arabia|, |Hadrian,| |11| |August| |117| |-| |10| |July| |138| |A.D.,| |Petra,| |Arabia||AE| |25|
Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean Kingdom, is a famous archaeological site in Jordan's southwestern desert. UNESCO describes Petra as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." The BBC selected Petra as one of "the 40 places you have to see before you die." Accessed via a narrow canyon called Al Siq, it contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the "Rose City." Perhaps its most famous structure is 45m-high Al Khazneh, a temple with an ornate, Greek-style facade, and known as The Treasury. After the last Nabataean king, Rabbel II, died in 106 A.D., Trajan incorporated Nabataea into the Roman province Arabia Petraea. One of the latest known Nabataean language inscriptions, from 191 A.D., records "...This in the year 85 of the Eparchy [Roman Rule], in which Arabs destroyed the land." It seems likely that raiding Arab tribes extinguished what remained of a weakened Nabataean culture. In 747 A.D. what was left of the Nabataean cities was destroyed in a major earthquake.Treasury
RP114507. Bronze AE 25, RPC Online III 4099; Spijkerman 2; SNG ANS 1360; Sofaer 3; BMC Arabia p. 34, 1, SNG Righetti 2543; Rosenberger IV 2, VF, green patina, flan adjustment marks, earthen deposits, weight 13.858 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 180o, Petra (Jordan) mint, 11 Aug 117 - 10 Jul 138 A.D.; obverse AVTOKPATΩP KAICAP TPAIANOC AΔIANOC CEBACTOC (Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, gorgon (head of Medusa) on cuirass; reverse ΠETPA MHTPOΠOΛIC, Tyche seated left on rocks, wearing turreted crown, veil, long chiton and mantel, extending open right hand, trophy of arms in left hand over left shoulder; scarce; $180.00 (€169.20)
 


Nabataean Kingdom, Rabbel II and Gamilath, c. 80 - 102 A.D.

|Nabataean| |Kingdom|, |Nabataean| |Kingdom,| |Rabbel| |II| |and| |Gamilath,| |c.| |80| |-| |102| |A.D.||drachm|
Rabbel II was the last Nabataean king. A child when he became king, his mother, Shuqailat, ruled in the early years. He was given the title, "He who gives life and salvation to his people," perhaps for subjugating Arab tribes. Upon his death, Trajan annexed the kingdom. On 22 March 106, Nabataea was incorporated into the new province of Arabia Petraea, with Bosra as its capital. The date on this coin is off flan, but the style matches coins struck from 88 - 92 A.D.
GS111369. Billon drachm, cf. Al-Qatanani 239 - 240 (yrs. 20 - 21); Meshorer Nabataean 153 (yr. 21); Barkay CN 232 - 233 (yrs. 20 - 21); BMC Arabia p. 12, 1 (date off flan), VF, light tone, tight flan, obv. flatly struck, die wear, weight 2.843 g, maximum diameter 14.6 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, c. 89 - 91 A.D.(?); obverse Nabataean legend, "Rabbel the king, of the Nabataeans, year 20 or 21(?)" (date partially off flan), laureate and draped bust of Aretas IV with long hair right; reverse Nabataean legend, "Gamilath, his sister, queen of the Nabataeans", veiled bust of Gamilath right; $160.00 (€150.40)
 


Otho, 15 January 69 - 17 April 69 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria

|Antioch|, |Otho,| |15| |January| |69| |-| |17| |April 69| |A.D.,| |Antioch,| |Seleucis| |and| |Pieria,| |Syria||semis|NEW
Otho supported Galba's revolt against Nero in expectation he would be named heir. Since he was not, Otho had himself declared emperor. He ruled for only three months. After a minor defeat by Vitellius, Otho committed suicide. This was perhaps the only noble act of his life - he preferred to die rather than see more bloodshed in civil war.
RP114672. Bronze semis, McAlee 323(c); RPC I 4319; Butcher 151; BMC Galatia p. 177, 213, aF, scratches, obverse legend almost entirely off flan or worn, weight 5.404 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 15 Jan 69 - 17 Apr 69 A.D.; obverse IMP M OTHO CAES AVG (clockwise from upper right), laureate head right; reverse S C (senatus consulto), all within a laurel wreath with eight bunches of leaves, no dot (control mark); rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
 


Nabataean Kingdom, Rabbel II and Gamilath, c. 80 - 102 A.D.

|Nabataean| |Kingdom|, |Nabataean| |Kingdom,| |Rabbel| |II| |and| |Gamilath,| |c.| |80| |-| |102| |A.D.||drachm|
Rabbel II was the last Nabataean king. A child when he became king, his mother, Shuqailat, ruled in the early years. He was given the title, "He who gives life and salvation to his people," perhaps for subjugating Arab tribes. Upon his death, Trajan annexed the kingdom. On 22 March 106, Nabataea was incorporated into the new province of Arabia Petraea, with Bosra as its capital. The date on this coin is off flan, but the style matches coins struck from 88 - 92 A.D.
GS110743. Billon drachm, cf. Al-Qatanani 238 - 240 (yrs. 20 - 21); Meshorer Nabataean 153 (yr. 21); Barkay CN 231 - 233 (yrs. 19 - 21); BMC Arabia p. 12, 1 (date off flan), VF, toned, tight flan cutting off most of legends, weight 3.316 g, maximum diameter 14.3 mm, die axis 0o, Petra (Jordan) mint, c. 88 - 91 A.D.; obverse Nabataean legend, "Rabbel the king, of the Nabataeans, year [19 - 21?]" (date off flan), laureate and draped bust of Aretas IV with long hair right; reverse Nabataean legend, "Gamilath, his sister, queen of the Nabataeans", veiled bust of Gamilath right; $150.00 (€141.00)
 




  



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REFERENCES

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