Lot 3618

Description

Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), Arabian issue, silver drachm (3.328 grams), probably from an uncertain Nabaetean mint, (Previously and still mostly attributed to Caesarea, Cappadocea), obv. Trajan laureate head to right, around [AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIAN] CEB **GERM DAK*, rev. Arabia wearing chilton standing to left, holding branch and sword, to left a camel to left, around **[DHMARC] EX IS UPAT*S, (cf.S.1088, BMC 62 [Caesarea, Cappadocia]). Off centred and toned, otherwise very fine and scarce.

The issue is described by Spijkerman 'The Coins of the Decapolis and Provincia Arabia' from the extensive hoard found in 1966 of similar coins found in the Mampsis hoard from the central Negev in Israel. The 2042 drachms found celebrate the acquisition of the Nabatean kingdom in 106 and are generally attributed to the mint at Caesarea in Cappadocia. Strangely enough the type was not present in a large hoard of Roman coins found at this Caesarea in Cappadocia (See Spijkerman p.32-3). Spijkerman believes from the evidence of overstriking that the light denarii of Rabel II of Nabatea were used by the Roman authorities and he believes this provides strong evidence for an attribution to a local Arabian mint. The mint was probably the one used by the Nabateans and the issue was struck from the captured silver belonging to the Nabatean royal treasury (p.34).