The Coins from the 2023 Excavation Season of the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project

by Mati Johananoff, Achim Lichtenberger, Jessica Schellig and Oren Tal

Abstract: This report catalogues and contextualizes the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic coin finds from the 2023 excavation season of the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project as excavated in Areas E, F and G. All Hellenistic coins catalogued below have been assigned to the Seleucid settlement at the site, while many of the post-Hellenistic coins came from Area E, where we have uncovered the Byzantine city wall. In total 44 coins are catalogued: 18 Seleucid coins [two are unidentifiable]; four Hellenistic civic coins; an isolated Hasmonean coin, an isolated Roman Provincial coin, 12 Late Roman coins, three Byzantine coins, three Islamic coins and additional two unidentified coins. These coins supplement the coins published from previous seasons (from Areas B, C and D) and further contributes to the knowledge of the numismatic data of Tell Iẓṭabba and to our understanding of the overall settlement history at the site.

Keywords: Coin finds, Seleucid coins, Roman coins, Byzantine coins, Islamic coins, Tell Iẓṭabba, Nysa-Scythopolis, Beth Shean

Abstract: Dieser Bericht katalogisiert und kontextualisiert die hellenistischen, römischen, byzantinischen und islamischen Münzfunde der Grabungssaison 2023 des German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project in den Areas E, F und G. Alle im Folgenden katalogisierten hellenistischen Münzen werden der seleukidischen Siedlung an diesem Ort zugeordnet. Viele der späteren Münzen stammen aus Area E, in der die byzantinische Stadtmauer ausgegraben wurde. Insgesamt wurden 44 Münzen katalogisiert (18 seleukidische Münzen [zwei sind nicht genau bestimmbar], vier städtische hellenistische Münzen, eine hasmonäische Münze, eine kaiserzeitliche Städteprägung, 12 spätrömische Münzen, drei byzantinische Münzen, drei islamische Prägungen und noch zwei unbestimmte Münzen). Obwohl die Anzahl an Münzen relativ gering ist, ergänzen sie die in den vorangegangenen Jahren publizierten Münzen (aus den Areas B, C und D) und tragen weiter zur Kenntnis der Fundmünzen von Tell Iẓṭabba und zu unserem Verständnis der Siedlungsgeschichte des Ortes bei.

Stichwörter: Fundmünzen, seleukidische Münzen, römische Münzen, byzantinische Münzen, islamische Münzen, Tell Iẓṭabba, Nysa-Scythopolis, Beth Shean

During the 2023 season of the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project more than 200 coins were found (fig. 1). A considerable number of these coins (over 150), however, came from the surface layer and are not part of this catalogue and are to be published in a different paper. In total 44 coins originate from the excavated areas and they range in date from Antiochus III to the Seljuqs representing over a thousand years of circulation.

 

Fig. 1: Aerial view from the east of the 2023 excavation areas

The German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project was initiated in 2019 with the purpose of investigating the short-lived Seleucid settlement of Nysa-Scythopolis/Beth Shean, located on Tell Iẓṭabba (fig. 2)[1]. The final excavation report of the 2019–2020 excavations season is currently in press and two coin reports were independently published in the recent past[2]. Earlier excavations were undertaken by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) from 1991–1994 and have been published in part[3]. The coin finds from the IAA excavations were studied by Yoav Farhi and still await their final publication[4].

Fig. 2: Plan of Tell Iẓṭabba excavated areas

Seleucid Nysa-Scythopolis was founded in the time of Antiochus IV in the 160s BCE and destroyed by the Hasmonaean John Hyrcanus I in spring/summer 107 BCE[5]. The late Hellenistic and Roman reoccupation of the settlement took place in an adjacent area, to the south of the foot of the biblical Tell Beth Shean, evidencing that the Seleucid site had been left in ruins and only sparsely settled in later times. A notable reoccupation of Tell Iẓṭabba took place during the Byzantine period, when the northern flank of the city wall crossed the entire mound from east to west and ecclesiastical buildings were erected on Tell Iẓṭabba’s western parts[6]. The coin finds from our previous excavations mirror this settlement history, with most coins belonging to the Hellenistic period and some belonging to Late Antiquity, including also a few Islamic coins.

 

The 2023 excavations focused on three areas: one above and inside the Hellenistic town walls (Area F); another that unearthed domestic structures of the Seleucid settlement (Area G); and a third in which sondages were taken of the Byzantine city wall against its inner and outer facades (Area E)[7]. While Areas F and G were characterized by Seleucid architecture with hardly any evidence of later reoccupation, in Area E Byzantine architecture was uncovered, namely the city wall which was apparently constructed and repaired during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. It comes as no surprise that 20 out of the 22 Hellenistic coins were accordingly unearthed in Areas F and G. In the 2019 and 2020 seasons we found 37 coins in total, of which 29 were of Hellenistic date. Among the previously found 22 Seleucid coins 14 were those of Alexander II Zabinas, of which ten constitute a hoard. Even without the hoard, however, Zabinas coins had been the most frequent in our previous excavation seasons, and the 2023 season also yielded a considerable number of coins minted by this king (including stray finds), together with those of other Seleucid kings, as specified in the Table below. It should also be noted that another coin (SC II, no. 2242, assigned now to Nysa-Scythopolis) unearthed in 2023 (cat. no. 11, below), provides additional evidence that these coins were indeed locally minted[8]. The latest period Seleucid coin is that of Antiochus IX, either from 114/113 BCE or 113/112 BCE (cat. no. 16). It should be stressed that the Hasmonean coin of John Hyrcanus I, which may well chronologically fit the site’s later days, was not found in a Hellenistic layer proper but in a fill of the Byzantine city wall in Area E (cat. no. 23). This coin could therefore have arrived at the site before, during or after its destruction in 107 BCE. It should be noted that only a few Hasmonaean coins from Tell Iẓṭabba had been recorded in previous excavations[9]. The four civic coins of Ptolemais (Ake) (cat. nos. 19–22) fit a familiar pattern at the site and in the region in general, according to which Hellenistic coins from the mint of Ptolemais were widely circulating across the southern Levant.

 

Later period coins of the 3rd and 4th centuries CE probably constitute those that had remained in circulation during building operations in Byzantine times, whether of the city walls or the monastic facilities that occupied the western parts of Tell Iẓṭabba (East). A substantial number of these late antique coins stem from Area F, and have usually been found in top soil layers or very close to the surface. Also, the Islamic coins were found close to surface level underlining that these coins relate to the overall settlement history of the site and not necessarily to spot specific activities.

Seleucids Total 18
  Antiochus III (223187 BCE) 3
Antiochus IV (175164 BCE) 2 or 3
Demetrius I (162150 BCE) 3 or 4
Antiochus VII (138–129 BCE) 1
Alexander II Zabinas (128–123 BCE) 3
Antiochus VIII (125121 BCE) 2
Antiochus IX (11696 BCE) 1
Seleucid unidentified 2
Civic Ptolemais (Ake) 4
Hasmonean John Hyrcanus I (135104 BCE) 1
Roman Provincial unidentifiable 1
Late Roman Total 13
  Constantius II (337361 CE) 4
Theodosius I (379395 CE) 3
Theodosius II (408–450 CE) 2
Marcian (450–457 CE) 1
unidentifiable 3
Byzantine unidentifiable 4
Umayyad 1
Abbasid 1
Seljuq 1
Total 44

 

 

Catalogue of the coins

Seleucids

Cat. No. 1 – Area G

L. 702; B7051/1 (fig. 3)

Uncertain mint 64, in southern Coele Syria, Antiochus III, from 198 BCE, thick, dumpy flan

Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r., hair in krobylos with wavy lock falling behind ear, another on back of neck, dotted circular border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛ[ΕΩΣ] on r., [ΑN]TIOXOΥ on l., Nike advancing l., holding long palm in extended r. hand, control mark (inner l., control mark )

Æ denomination B, Ø 17 mm, 7.56 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. SC I, 418, no. 1100

 

Cat. No. 2 – Area F

L. 608; B6095 (fig. 4)

Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochus III, 223–187 BCE

Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r., hair in krobylos behind, long wavy lock falling behind ear, dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] on r., [ΑNTIOXOΥ] on l., Apollo standing l., testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow

Æ denomination C, Ø 16 mm, 2.41 g; axis 12

Ref. SC I, 402, no. 1056

 

Cat. No. 3 – Area G

L. 703; B7004 (fig. 5)

Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochus III, 223–187 BCE

Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r., hair in krobylos behind, long wavy lock falling behind ear, dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] on r., [ΑNTIOXOΥ] on l., Apollo standing l., testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow

Æ denomination C, Ø 16 mm, 2.30 g; axis 12

Ref. SC I, 402, no. 1056

 

Cat. No. 4 – Area F

L. 622; B6139 (fig. 6)

Ptolemais (Ake), Antiochus IV, 175–173/2 BCE, serrated edge, with central cavities

Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r., control mark  behind head, dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕ]ΩΣ on r., ΑNTIOXOΥ on l., Apollo seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting hand on grounded bow, often compound, symbol in outer l. aphlaston, in ex., control mark +

Æ denomination D, Ø 14 mm, 2.00 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 91, no. 1478.1 var.

 

Cat. No. 5 – Area F

L. 607; B6053 (fig. 7)

Ptolemais (Ake), Antiochus IV or Demetrius I, 175–150 BCE, serrated edge

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn, obliterated

Æ denomination D, Ø 14 mm, 2.89 g; axis 12(?)

Ref. SC II, 91–92, nos. 1478–1479 or 181, no. 1679

 

Cat. No. 6 – Area F

L. 608; B6062 (fig. 8)

Ptolemais (Ake), Antiochus IV, 175–173/2 BCE, serrated edge, with central cavities

Obv. Veiled, diademed bust of Laodice IV r., control mark behind head , dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] above, ΑNTIOXOΥ below, elephant head l., symbol on r., prow, dotted circular border, control illegible

Æ denomination C, Ø 17 mm, 3.70 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 91, no. 1477.2

 

Cat. No. 7 – Area F

L. 616; B6148 (fig. 9)

Seleucia on the Tigris, Demetrius I, 162–150 BCE(?)

Obv. Diademed head of Demetrius I r., dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] on r., [ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ] on l. [ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ] in ex., cornucopia

Æ denomination C, Ø 15 mm, 2.96 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. SC II, 188, no. 1704

 

Cat. No. 8 – Area G

L. 702; B7207 (fig. 10)

Seleucia on the Tigris, Demetrius I, 162–150 BCE(?)

Obv. Worn

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] on r., [ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ] on l. [ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ] in ex., cornucopia, in r. field remnants of control mark(?)

Æ denomination C, Ø 15 mm, 1.89 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. SC II, 188, no. 1704

[Comment: The attribution of nos. 7–8 to Seleucia on the Tigris is uncertain.]

 

Cat. No. 9 – Area G

L. 729; B7333 (fig. 11)

Tyre, Demetrius I, 154–153 BCE, slightly bevelled edge

Obv. Diademed head of Demetrius I r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] (curving) on r., ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ (curving) on l., palm tree, date (across field) ΘΝ – Ρ (S.E. 159 = 154/153 BCE), dotted circular border

Æ denomination D, Ø 13 mm, 2.18 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 180, no. 1676.3; Syon 2014, 128, table 5.23; cf. nos. 208‒233

 

Cat. No. 10 – Area G

L. 706; B7095 (fig. 12)

Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochus VII, 139/138 BCE; slightly bevelled edge

Obv. Bust of winged Eros r., dotted circular border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑNTIOXOΥ in two lines on r., [ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ] on l., Isis headdress, resting on two ears of grain with stems crossed, date in ex. ΔΟΡ (S.E. 174 = 139/138 BCE)

Æ denomination B, Ø 15.5 mm, 6.14 g; axis 1

Ref. SC II, 366, no. 2067.1

 

Cat. No. 11 – Area F

L. 622; B6149 (fig. 13)

Nysa-Scythopolis, Alexander II Zabinas, 128–122 BCE, serrated edge

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

Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ on l., winged Tyche standing l., calathus on head, holding ship’s tiller and cornucopia, control mark on outer l. above  and palm branch(?) outer l. below

Æ denomination B or C, Ø 20 mm, 6.33 g; axis 1

Ref. SC II, 459, no. 2242.3

[Comment: These serrated bronzes have been attributed by Yoav Farhi to the Nysa-Scythopolis mint[10].]

 

Cat. No. 12 – Area F

L. 606; B6079 (fig. 14)

Antioch on the Orontes, Alexander II Zabinas, series 4, c. 125–122 BCE

Obv. Radiate, diademed head of Alexander II Zabinas r., one diadem end waving up behind neck, the other falling forward over shoulder, circular dotted border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] on r., [ΑΛΕ]ΞΑΝΔΡ[ΟΥ] on l., two filleted cornucopiae, splayed and intertwined, control marks Σ (inner l. above), Α (inner r.)

Æ denomination B, Ø 20 mm, 5.33 g; axis 3

Ref. SC II, 456, no. 2235

 

Cat. No. 13 – Area F

L. 606; B6031 (fig. 15)

Antioch on the Orontes, Alexander II Zabinas, series 4, c. 125–122 BCE

Obv. Radiate, diademed head of Alexander II Zabinas r., one diadem end waving up behind neck, the other falling forward over shoulder, circular dotted border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., [ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ] on l., two filleted cornucopiae, splayed and intertwined, control marks (inner l. above) Σ below grapevine(?) (inner l. below), Α below grapevine(?)

Æ denomination B, Ø 20 mm, 5.86 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. SC II, 456, no. 2235

 

Cat. No. 14 – Area G

L. 731; B7324 (fig. 16)

Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochus VIII, 121–113 BCE

Obv. Radiate, diademed head of Antiochus VIII r., one diadem end waving up behind, the other falling forward over shoulder, dotted circular border

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑNTIOXOΥ in two lines on r., ΕΠΙΦΑΝ[ΟΥΣ] on l., eagle standing l., sceptre under the wing

Æ denomination B, Ø 19 mm, 6.39 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 500 f., no. 2300 or 504, no. 2307

 

Cat. No. 15 – Area G

L. 702; B7051/2 (fig. 17)

Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochus VIII, 121–113 BCE

Obv. Radiate, diademed head of Antiochus VIII r., one diadem end waving up behind, the other falling forward over shoulder, dotted (or, rarely, linear) circular border

Rev. [ΒΑΣ]ΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] ΑNTIOXOΥ in two lines on r., [Ε]ΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ on l., eagle standing l., sceptre under far wing

Æ denomination B, Ø 20 mm, 4.06 g; axis 12

Ref. SC II, 500 f., no. 2300 or 504, no. 2307

 

Cat. No. 16 – Area E

L. 520; B5014 (fig. 18)

Antiochus IX Philopator, Antioch on the Orontes, 114/113 BCE or 113/112 BCE; bevelled flan

Obv. Worn

Rev. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑNTIOXOΥ] in two lines to r., [Φ]ΙΛΟΠΑTOΡΟ[Σ] to l., winged thunderbolt placed vertically, control mark  and below cornucopia

Æ denomination B, Ø 18 mm, 5.33 g

Ref. SC II, 534, no. 2364

 

Seleucid unidentified

Cat. No. 17 – Area G

L. 716; B7950 (fig. 19)

Unidentifiable Seleucid coin; slightly bevelled edge, central cavities

Æ, Ø 14 mm, 2.30 g

 

Cat. No. 18 – Area F

L. 627; B6180 (fig. 20)

Unidentifiable Seleucid coin; bevelled edge

Obv. Diademed head to r.

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 15 mm, 2.72 g

 

Civic (Seleucid Era)

Cat. No. 19 – Area F

L. 604; B6020 (fig. 21)

Ake, pre-colonial autonomous civic coinage, 169–140 BCE; bevelled flan

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.; circular dotted border

Rev. Cornucopia with fruit; to r. and l. ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ / ΤΩΝ / [ΕΝ / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΔΙ]; in l. field, remnants of control mark/monogram

Æ, Ø 17 mm, 3.00 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Kadman 1961, 18, nos. 11–27; CHL, 8, nos. 68–74

 

Cat. No. 20 – Area G

L. 701; B7006-2 (fig. 22)

Broken

Ake, pre-colonial autonomous civic coinage, 169–140 BCE; bevelled flan

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.

Rev. Cornucopia with fruit; to r. and l. [ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ / ΤΩΝ / ΕΝ / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΔΙ]

Æ, Ø 17 mm, 3.05 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Kadman 1961, 18, nos. 11–27; CHL, 8, nos. 68–74

 

Cat. No. 21 – Area F

L. 617; B6147 (fig. 23)

Ake, pre-colonial autonomous civic coinage, 169–140 BCE; bevelled flan

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.

Rev. Cornucopia with fruit; to r. and l. [ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ / ΤΩΝ / ΕΝ / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΔΙ]

Æ, Ø 17 mm, 3.27 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Kadman 1961, 18, nos. 11–27; CHL, 8, nos. 68–74

 

Cat. No. 22 – Area F

L. 620; B6275 (fig. 24)

Ake, pre-colonial autonomous civic coinage, 169–140 BCE; bevelled flan

Obv. Jugate busts of the Dioscuri r.

Rev. Cornucopia with fruit; to r. and l. [ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ / ΤΩΝ / ΕΝ / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΔΙ]

Æ, Ø 17 mm, 2.13 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Kadman 1961, 18, nos. 11–27; CHL, 8, nos. 68–74

 

Hasmoneans

Cat. No. 23 – Area E

L. 537; B5051 (fig. 25)

John Hyrcanus I, 135–104 BCE

Obv. YHW / ḤNNHK / HNHGDL / WḤBR / [HYDYM] (in paleo Hebrew, »Yehoḥanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews«), surrounded by a wreath

Rev. Remnants of double cornucopiae with a pomegranate between the horns

Æ, Ø 16 mm, 1.49 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. TJC (Group D); CHL, 244, nos. 68–80

 

Roman Provincial

Cat. No. 24 – Area F

L. 642; B6321 (fig. 26)

Unidentifiable Roman Provincial coin, 2nd–early 3rd century CE

Obv. Worn, bust of emperor r.

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 22.5 mm, 8.02 g; axis -

 

Late Roman

Cat. No. 25 – Area F

L. 602; B6004 (fig. 27)

Constantius II, mint illegible, 350–361 CE

Obv. [D N CON]STAN-TIVS P F AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II r., pearl-diademed

Rev. FEL TEMP – [REPARATIO] // SM [  ], soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, advancing l., spearing fallen horseman with r. hand and wearing shield on l. arm; shield on ground to r.; horseman is bareheaded, facing soldier, raising l. hand

Æ denomination AE3, Ø 16 mm, 2.16 g; axis 11

Ref. cf. RIC VIII Cyzicus 104

 

Cat. No. 26 – Area F

L. 602; B6055 (fig. 28)

Constantius II, mint illegible, 350–361 CE

Obv. D N CONS[TAN-TIVS P F AVG], draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II r., pearl-diademed

Rev. [FEL TEMP – REPARAT]IO // [  ], soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, advancing l., spearing fallen horseman with r. hand and wearing shield on l. arm; shield on ground to r.; horseman is bareheaded, facing soldier, raising l. hand

Æ denomination AE3, Ø 16.5 mm, 1.63 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. RIC VIII Cyzicus 104

 

Cat. No. 27 – Area F

L. 602; B6056 (fig. 29)

Broken

Constantius II, mint illegible, 355–361 CE

Obv. [D N CONSTAN]–TIVS P F AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II r., pearl-diademed

Rev. [SPES REI–PVBLICA], Constantius II, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, standing l., holding globe in r. hand and spear in l. hand

Æ denomination AE3, Ø 15 mm, 1.63 g; axis 6

Ref. cf. RIC VIII Aquileia 235

 

Cat. No. 28 – Area E

L. 521; B5016 (fig. 30)

Under Theodosius I, Cyzicus, 378–383 CE

Obv. Legend illegible, draped and cuirassed bust of emperor r., pearl-diademed

Rev. [VOT/X/MVLT]/XX // SMKA, legend in wreath

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 9.5 mm, 0.49 g; axis 7

Ref. cf. RIC IX Cyzicus 21A–D

 

Cat. No. 29 – Area F

L. 608; B6057 (fig. 31)

Magnus Maximus or Flavius Victor, mint illegible, 383–388 CE

Obv. [D N  ] P F AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnus Maximus or Flavius Victor r., diademed

Rev. [SPES ROMANO]RVM // [S]MT[  ], Camp-gate with star between its two turrets

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 12 mm, 0.69 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. RIC IX Treveri 87A–C

 

Cat. No. 30 – Area F

L. 638; B6304 (fig. 32)

Theodosius I, Antioch on the Orontes, 383–392 CE

Obv. [D N THEODO-SI]VS [P F AVG], draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius I r., rosette-diademed

Rev. [SALVS REI-PV]BLICAE // [A]NTA, Victory advancing l., holding trophy on shoulder with r. hand, and dragging captive with l. hand, in l. field Chi-Rho

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 12.5 mm, 1.19 g; axis 5

Ref. RIC IX Antioch 67C.1

 

Cat. No. 31 – Area E

L. 521; B5017 (fig. 33)

Theodosius II, mint illegible, 425–435 CE

Obv. [D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG], draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius II r., pearl-diademed

Rev. CONCO-[RDIA AVG], Victory, winged, draped, advancing forward, holding wreath in both hands

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 10 mm, 0.73 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. RIC X Theodosius II (East) 430–439

 

Cat. No. 32 – Area F

L. 602; B6054 (fig. 34)

Theodosius II, Nicomedia or Constantinople, 445–450 CE

Obv. [D N THEO]DOSIVS [P F AVG], draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius II r., pearl-diademed

Rev. Monogram of Theodosius II within a wreath

Æ denomination AE3–4, Ø 11 mm, 0.67 g; axis 5

Ref. cf. RIC X Theodosius II (East) 462–465

 

Cat. No. 33 – Area F

L. 605; B6025 (fig. 35)

Marcian, mint illegible, 450–457 CE

Obv. [D N MARCIANVS P F AVG], draped and cuirassed bust of Marcian r., pearl-diademed

Rev. Monogram of Marcian within a wreath

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 12 mm, 1.09 g; axis 10

Ref. cf. RIC X Marcian 535–570

 

Cat. No. 34 – Area F

L. 608; B6063

Unidentifiable Late Roman coin, 4th–5th century CE

Obv. Legend illegible, draped and cuirassed bust of emperor r., diademed

Rev. Legend illegible, Victory, winged, draped, advancing l., holding wreath or dragging captive

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 10.5 mm, 0.69 g; axis 6

 

Cat. No. 35 – Area F

L. 601; B6005

Broken

Unidentifiable Late Roman, second half 4th century CE

Obv. Worn, draped bust of emperor r., diademed

Rev. Worn

Æ denomination AE3, Ø 16 mm, 1.09 g; axis -

 

Cat. No. 36 – Area E

L. 529; B5034

Unidentifiable Late Roman coin, second half 5th century CE

Obv. Worn

Rev. Monogram

Æ denomination AE4, Ø 9 mm, 0.86 g; axis -

 

Byzantine

Cat. No. 37 – Area F

L. 604; B6028

Unidentifiable Byzantine minimus, late 5th–6th century CE

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 7.5x10 mm, 1.11 g; axis -

 

Cat. No. 38 – Area F

L. 625; B6175

Unidentifiable Byzantine minimus, late 5th–6th century CE

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 11 mm, 1.72 g; axis -

 

Cat. No. 39 – Area F

L. 624; B6201

Unidentifiable Byzantine minimus, late 5th–6th century CE

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 7 mm, 0.56 g; axis -

 

Umayyad

Cat. No. 40 – Area F

L. 605; B6048 (fig. 36)

Pre-reform Arab-byzantine fals, 692–694 CE

Obv. Legend illegible, Constans II standing frontal, holding cross-staff in r., cross-globe in l. hand

Rev. Legend illegible, M, above cross

Æ fals, Ø 17x20 mm, 3.15 g; axis 11

Ref. cf. SNAT Iva, nos. 508-512; for the dating cf. Bates 2012

 

Abbasid

Cat. No. 41 – Area E

L. 520; B5013 (fig. 37)

Cut

Al-Ma’mun (813‒833 CE), 208 AH (= 823 CE)

Silver dirham,  Ø 21.5 mm, 1.14 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Savage 1999, 178, no. 1458

 

Seljuk

Cat. No. 42 – Area F

L. 600; B6185 (fig. 38)

Qilij Arslan II (11/55‒1192 CE)

Obv. Upright horseman with lance and arch inclined upward, charging to r.

Rev. Legend (title of the sultan, with a few legible letters in the first two lines)

Æ, fals, Ø 20 mm, 3.19 g; axis 12

Ref. cf. Broome 2011, 46, no. 21B[11]

 

Unidentifiable

Cat. No. 43 – Area F

L. 601; B6006

Broken

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 12 mm, 0.82 g; axis -

 

Cat. No. 44 – Area F

L. 606; B6071

Broken

Obv. Worn

Rev. Worn

Æ, Ø 12 mm, 0.60 g; axis -

 



[1] Ebeling et al. 2020; Ebeling et al. 2021; Edrey et al. 2022; Edrey et al. 2023.

[2] Lichtenberger – Tal 2024. Previous coin reports: Lichtenberger – Tal 2020; Lichtenberger – Tal 2021. Cf. also Shamir – Lichtenberger – Tal 2021.

[3] Mazor – Atrash – Finkielsztejn 2018 (with additional bibliography on previous excavations).

[4] Farhi Forthcoming.

[5] Lichtenberger et al. 2022.

[6] On Late Antiquity in Beth Shean see Tsafrir – Foerster 1997.

[7] Edrey et al. 2023.

[8] Farhi 2022.

[9] Farhi Forthcoming.

[10] Farhi 2022.

[11] We are indebted to R. Kool for providing this reference.

 

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