The Coins from the 2019 and 2020 Excavation Seasons of the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project

1. The site and the German-Israeli project

In 2019 and 2020, a joint German-Israeli team undertook fieldwork at Tell Iẓṭabba in the Beth Shean basin in the western Jordan Valley (Figs 1 and 2). In February 2019 magnetic prospections were carried out at the site, and in September 2019 and February 2020 excavations took place in selected areas[1].

Tell Iẓṭabba is the site of the Seleucid founded settlement of Nysa-Scythopolis. It was established under King Antiochus IV (in the 160s BCE) and was destroyed by the Hasmonaean John Hyrcanus in 108/107 BCE[2]. The site seems subsequently to have remained mostly abandoned until the Late Roman and Byzantine periods, when Christian buildings and a Samaritan synagogue were erected. The late Hellenistic and Roman settlement moved further south in the area of the biblical Tell Beth Shean, where a prosperous city developed.

The site of Tell Iẓṭabba has been subject to archaeological exploration since the 1950s. The most significant fieldwork was undertaken under the aegis of the Israel Antiquities Authority in the 1990s, when the Late Antique structures in the western part of Tell Iẓṭabba and the Seleucid domestic buildings in the eastern part of the mound were excavated. The results of these excavations are currently in the process of publication[3]. The new German-Israeli project, directed by the authors, seeks to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the Seleucid settlement at Tell Iẓṭabba (East). In the course of our two seasons of excavations four areas (A‒D) were explored (Fig. 3).

In Area A, mostly Byzantine remains were found and excavated; while Areas B and C yielded Hellenistic domestic remains, as did Area D, in which a significant Byzantine building and a few Roman architectural remains were also uncovered. In the following, we present a catalogue of the coins found during the two excavation seasons and provide a preliminary contextualization. The number of coins is of course too limited to draw far-reaching conclusions; and, indeed, the as yet unpublished coin catalogue of the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations is much larger (numbering around 450 coins)[4]. However, since the 2019‒2020 excavations funded by the German-Israeli Foundation constituted only the first phase of a multi-year project, we present the results of this initial phase of the project with the purpose of expanding the published corpus of coin finds. The coins have been identified as follows:

2. Hellenistic occupation and coins

The Hellenistic coins from the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba excavations mostly belong to 2^nd-century BCE Seleucid bronze currency. This accords with the assumed foundation of the Seleucid settlement under Antiochus IV. Most of the coins originate from Seleucid domestic strata. A few earlier coins, from Seleucus IV and the Ptolemies, possibly relate to older currency that was still in circulation. A similar situation is encountered at neighboring trans-Jordanian sites. These include Gerasa of the Decapolis, established at the same time as Nysa (Tell Iẓṭabba), where some older Ptolemaic coins were found[5]; Decapolitan Gadara, where some Ptolemaic coins were excavated, although the majority of the Hellenistic material is from the post-Antiochus IV period[6]; and Pella, another neighboring center of the Decapolis with an analogous foundation history and featuring a similar distribution of Hellenistic coin finds[7].

There are, however, also differences. One notable difference is that of the comparatively large number of coins of Alexander II Zabinas found at Tell Iẓṭabba, and for which the coin hoard – not included in this report – still needs to be counted. However, this high proportion of coins from Alexander II Zabinas has been dealt with elsewhere[8]. Another apparent difference to the coins found in the aforementioned Decapolis cities, is the termination of Seleucid coins under Antiochus IX at Tell Iẓṭabba following the Hasmonean destruction. The latest coin found in the German-Israeli excavations dates to 111/110 BCE, shortly before the destruction of the settlement by John Hyrcanus in 108/107 BCE. Although the capture of the city is reported by Josephus in Ant. 13,280 (see also War 1,66), the absolute date for the site’s destruction comes from the evidence of the Rhodian stamped handles retrieved from the site. Prior to our own expedition three other excavations had been carried out at the site, yielding a total of over 360 stamps, with the majority being Rhodian. The latest Rhodian stamp recovered from the site is related to the latest eponym of Period V, namely 108 BCE[9]. This evidence would seem to coincide with the latest coins recovered during the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations (R. Bar-Nathan and G. Mazor): namely, Antiochus IX coins, of SC’s 2388 type (below cat. no. 10), which are known from the Seleucid era 201, 202 and 204 (= 108/107 BCE), in contrast to the total absence of coins from Antiochus VIII’s third reign in Antioch (109–96 BCE)[10].

Noteworthy among the Hellenistic coins are the four civic coins from Ptolemais (Ake). In neighboring Pella, too, the Hellenistic civic coins are predominantly from Ptolemais[11], suggesting direct trade links between Pella and this Mediterranean harbor city, which was easily accessible via the Jezreel Valley. Civic coins from Ptolemais have also been found in Gerasa, as have coins from other Phoenician cities such as Tyre[12].

3. Late Roman and Byzantine occupation and coins

The gap in coin finds between Antiochus IX and the Late Roman period matches what is known archaeologically to date about Tell Iẓṭabba. In the Roman period, this area was not part of the rebuilt Greco-Roman city but was occupied by necropoleis[13]. To date, no tombs have been found in the plateau’s eastern part of Tell Iẓṭabba, where the German-Israeli excavations were carried out, suggesting that there was little Roman occupation in this area. However, this assumption should be treated with caution, as during our 2020 excavations we also reached possible Roman strata[14].

In Area D, the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project unearthed Late Roman and Byzantine structures[15], and although the nature of these structures has not yet been determined with certainty, they seem to have been related to the ecclesiastical and monastic buildings uncovered in the western part of the mound, as well as to construction of the Byzantine-period fortifications that cross Tell Iẓṭabba from east to west.

4. Early Islamic coins

The absence of Umayyad coin finds during the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project is noteworthy. This might suggest that the area was at least partly abandoned in the Late Byzantine period and before the earthquake of 749 CE[16]. It can be assumed that the Islamic conquest of the region may have led to a decline in ecclesiastical and monastic activity in this area, but also the transfer of the provincial capital of Jund al-Urdunn to Tiberias probably contributed to a significant loss in importance. The splendid Abbasid dirham of 804 CE and the unidentified Abbasid bronze coin, found at the site, do little to alter this picture of sparse early Islamic activity, since it is an isolated find and belongs to the post-749 CE occupation of the Beth Shean area.

5. Conclusions

In the above we have provided a few preliminary observations on the site’s occupational history via its coin finds. Future publications and excavations are expected to further enhance our understanding of the site’s occupational history through its material culture. The German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project is currently an ongoing research project; and we intend to continue excavations at the site in order to gain a better understanding of its economic basis and cultural interactions with other Mediterranean centers during its periods of successive occupation.

6. Catalogue of the coins

Ptolemies

Cat. no. 1) Area B

L233; B2180 (IAA no. 178560) (Fig. 4)

Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283/2–246 BCE), hemiobol, reformed coinage, c. 265–261/0 BCE; beveled flan; central cavities

Obv. Horned head of Zeus-Ammon r.

Rev. [BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ], eagle standing on thunderbolt to l.; spread wings; control between eagle’s legs

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 4.84 g; axis 12

Ref. CPE Part I.2, 57, no. B239 (Θ between eagle’s legs) or 59, no. B260 (O between eagle’s legs)

Seleucids

Seleucus IV (187–175 BCE)

Cat. no. 2) Area B

L235; B2185 (IAA no. 178561) (Fig. 5)

Seleucus IV Philopator, Antioch (187–175 BCE); serrated flan

Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r.; illegible monogram on l. field

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ, Apollo standing l., holding arrow, leaning on tripod; Primary control on l. field; secondary control below it; central cavity

Æ,  Æ22 mm, 9.07 gr; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 15–16, no 1315.7

Antiochus IV (175–164 BCE) or Demetrius I (161–150 BCE)

Cat. no. 3) Area B

L205; B2055 (IAA no. 178549) (Fig. 6)

Antiochus IV Epiphanes or Demetrius I Soter, Tyre; beveled flan

Obv. Head of Antiochus IV r., diademed; central cavity

Rev. […] (curving) r., […] (curving) l., Palm tree

Æ,  Æ15 mm, 2.72 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 85, no. 1462 or SC II, 180, no. 1676; see also Syon 2014, 128, table 5.23; cf. nos. 208‒233

Antiochus VII (139/138–130/129 BCE)

Cat. no. 4) Area B

L211; B2089 (IAA no. 178555) (Fig. 7)

Antiochus VII Euergetes [Sidetes], Antioch (139/8–130/129 BCE)

Obv. Lion head r., dotted border

Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑNTIOXOΥ in two lines, ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ on l., vertical club; below (worn) date; control mark on outer l. field  ligatured ΔI above an uncertain symbol

Æ,  Æ15 mm, 2.23 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 368–369, no. 2068

Alexander II Zabinas (129/8–122 BCE)

Cat. no. 5) Area B

L201; B2006 (IAA no. 178544) (Fig. 8)

Alexander II Zabinas, Antioch (129/8–126/5 BCE); beveled flan

Obv. Head of Alexander II Zabinas r., diademed; fillet border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] / ΑΛΕ[ΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ]; Dionysus standing l. holding thyrsus

Æ,  Æ21 mm, 6.48 g; axis 12

Ref. Cf. SC II, 453–454, no. 2229

Cat. no. 6) Area B

L205; B2052 (IAA no. 178548) (Fig. 9)

Alexander II Zabinas, Antioch (125‒122 BCE); beveled flan

Obv. Head of Alexander II r., diademed; circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ] in two lines; two filleted cornucopiae, splayed and intertwined. In r., field, Σ; in l. field, A

Æ,  Æ20 mm, 6.95 g; axis 11

Ref. SC II, 456, no. 2235.1e‒1f

Cat. no. 7) Area B

L209; B2090 (IAA no. 178551) (Fig. 10)

Alexander II Zabinas; serrated flan; perhaps Apameia on the Orontes (129/8–122 BCE), however see comments in SC II, p. 459 regarding this attribution.

Obv. Head of young Dionysus r., wreath with ivy, dotted border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ on l.,] winged Tyche standing l., calathus on head, holding ship’s tiller and cornucopia

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 5.42 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 458‒459, no. 2242

Cat. no. 8) Area C

L357; B3269 (IAA no. 178562) (Fig. 11)

Alexander II Zabinas; serrated flan; perhaps Apameia on the Orontes (129/8–122 BCE), however see comments in SC II, p. 459 regarding this attribution.

Obv. Head of young Dionysus r., wreath with ivy, dotted border

Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩAΣ on r., [ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ] on l., winged Tyche standing l., calathus on head, holding ship’s tiller and cornucopia

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 5.19 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 458‒459, no. 2242

Antiochus VIII (121/0‒97/6 BCE)

Cat. no. 9) Area B

L209; B2088 (IAA no. 178550) (Fig. 12)

Antiochus VIII, Antioch (121/0‒114/3 BCE)

Obv. Head of Antiochus VIII r., diademed and radiate

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛ[ΕΩΣ/ΑNTIOXOΥ]; on r.; [EΠIΦANOYΣ] on l. Eagle with closed wings stg. l.

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 4.23 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 500‒501, no. 2300

Antiochus IX (114/113‒95 BCE)

Cat. no. 10) Area D

L478; B4423 (IAA no. 178565) (Fig. 13)

Antiochus IX Philopator; beveled flan; mint, probably in Phoenicia (111/110 BCE).

Obv. Bust of winged Eros r.; dotted border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ] in two lines on r., ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ on l.; Nike advancing l., holding wreath. In l., field, date, ΒΣ (202 = 111/110 BCE)

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 3.99 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 544, no. 2388.2/3

Seleucids unidentified

Cat. no. 11) Area B

L233; B2179 (IAA no. 178559) (Fig. 14)

Swollen flan (4 mm)

Obv. Head of a Seleucid king r.

Rev. Worn

Æ,  Æ15 mm, 2.93 g

Cat. no. 12) Area B

L202; B2011 (IAA no. 178545) (Fig. 15)

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ,  Æ20 mm, 4.64 g

Cat. no. 13) Area B

L232; B2189 (IAA no. 178558) (Fig. 16)

Swollen flan (4 mm)

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ,  Æ15 mm, 1.92 g

Civic

Cat. no. 14) Area B

L209; B2110 (IAA no. 178553) (Fig. 17)

Ptolemais (Ake), 169‒164 BCE(?)

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.

Rev. [ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ/ΤΩΝ/ΕΝ/ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΔΙ]; cornucopia; in l. field, Α

Æ,  Æ14 mm, 2.01 g; axis 12

Ref. Cf. CHL 8, nos. 68–74

Cat. no. 15) Area C

L338; B3297 (IAA no. 178564) (Fig. 18)

Ptolemais (Ake), 169‒164 BCE(?)

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.

Rev. [ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ/ΤΩΝ/ΕΝ/ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΔΙ]; cornucopia

Æ,  Æ13 mm, 1.21 g; axis 12

Ref. Cf. CHL 8, nos. 68–74

Cat. no. 16) Area B

L202; B2013 (IAA no. 178546) (Fig. 19)

Ptolemais (Ake), ca. 164–133 BCE

Obv. Head of Zeus r., laureate

Rev. [ANTIOXEΩ]N T[ΩN] / EN ΠΤΟΛΕΜ[AIΔI] / IEPAΣ AΣ[YΛOY]; Zeus standing l., holding ears of grain in r. and scepter in l.

Æ,  Æ18 mm, 3.32 g; axis 12

Ref. Kadman 1961, 102–103, nos. 55–58

Cat. no. 17) Area B

L203; B2023 (IAA no. 178547) (Fig. 20)

Ptolemais (Ake), ca. 164–133 BCE

Obv. Head of Zeus r., laureate

Rev. [ANTIOX]EΩ[N TΩN / EN ΠΤΟ]ΛΕΜ[AIΔI] / IEPAΣ AΣ[YΛOY]; Zeus standing l., holding ears of grain in r. and scepter in l.

Æ,  Æ19 mm, 2.39 g; axis 12

Ref. Kadman 1961, 102–103, nos. 55–58

Hellenistic unidentified

Cat. no. 18) Area B

L209; B2111 (IAA no. 178554) (Fig. 21)

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ,  Æ15 mm, 1.96 g

Cat. no. 19) Area B

L209; B2094 (IAA no. 178552) (Fig. 22)

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn; corroded surface

Æ,  Æ11 mm, 1.34 g

Late Roman and Byzantine

Constantius II (351–361 CE)

Cat. no. 20) Area B

L232; B2175 (IAA no. 178556) (Fig. 23)

Broken

Obv. [D N CONSTANTIVS] P F AVG; draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II r.

Rev. [FEL TEMP RE]PARATIO; soldier spearing fallen horseman l.

Æ,  Æ17 mm, 1.79 g; axis 12

Theodosius I (379-395 CE) / Arcadius (383-408 CE)

Cat. no. 21) Area A

L101; B1018 (IAA no. 178539) (Fig. 24)

Uncertain mint, Nummus.

Obv. Remnants of draped and cuirassed bust

Rev. SAL[VS REI PVBLICAE]; Victory advancing l. dragging captive, in field l. ☧

Æ,  Æ13 mm, 1.16 g; axis 12

Unidentified

Cat. no. 22) Area A

L103; B1016 (IAA no. 178540) (Fig. 25)

Late Roman-Byzantine?

Obv. Head r.

Rev. Standing figure

Æ,  Æ9 mm, 0.72 g

Cat. no. 23) Area B

L201; B2002 (IAA no. 178543) (Fig. 26)

Late Roman-Byzantine

Obv. Bust r.

Rev. Nike, holding wreath(?)

Æ,  Æ11 mm, 0.96 g

Cat. no. 24) Area B

L232; B2178 (IAA no. 178557) (Fig. 27)

Broken

Obv. Bust r.

Rev. Helmeted soldier?

Æ,  Æ17 mm, 0.84 g; axis 12

Cat. no. 25) Area A

L103; B1017 (IAA no. 178541) (Fig. 28)

Byzantine?

Broken

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ,  Æ14 mm, 0.35 g

Abbasids

Cat. no. 26) Area C

L332, B3161 (IAA no. 178563) (Fig. 29)

Harun al-Rashid (786‒809 CE), Medinat al-Salam, 187 AH (= 802/3 CE)

Obv. Center: لا اله الا الله وحده لا شرك له

(There is no deity except | God. He is alone | He has no equal);

margin: بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بمدينة السلام سنة سبع و تمنين و مئة

(In the name of Allah, this dirham was struck at Madinat al-Salam year seven and eighty and one hundred)

Rev. Center: محمد رسول الله

(Muhammad | is the messenger of | God);

margin: محمد رسول الله ارسله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و لو كره المشركون

(Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, he has sent him with the guidance and the religion of truth to proclaim it over all religion even if the polytheists detest it)

Silver dirham, Æ24 mm, 2.94 g; axis 6

Ref. Savage 1999, 171 no. 1374

Cat. no. 27) Area A

L103; B1024 (IAA no. 178542) (Fig. 30)

Presumably northern Syria, Jazira, al-Raqqa, 183 AH (= 799/800 CE)

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn; three lines of illegible Arabic inscription, pentagram above

Æ, Fals, cast, Æ19 mm, 2.48 g

Ref. Heidemann 2003, 118–120

Photo credit: All photographs © German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project