Excavations at Tel Zahara

(2006–2009): Final Report

The Hellenistic and Roman Strata

Edited by

Susan L. Cohen

BAR International Series 2554

2013
Published by

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Excavations at Tel Zahara (2006–2009): Final Report. The Hellenistic and Roman Strata

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 Chapter 5.
the CoInage.
hellenIStIC and roman CoInS
E. Estrup

ayyuBId CoInS
M. Hawari

This section presents the coins excavated at Tel Zahara

(2006–2009). Of the coins examined in this section, seven
are Hellenistic and Roman Provincial and three are Ayyubid.
Of the Hellenistic and Roman Provincial coins, three may be
confidently identified, one can be tentatively identified, one
may be identified with further study, and two are too damaged
to be identifiable (Table 5.1). All of these coins were bronze;
no silver or gold coins have been found at the site.

5.1 Catalogue of the Hellenistic and Roman Provincial

Coins

This catalogue includes the following information: object Fig. 5.1 Hellenistic coin of Demetrius II. Photo by Z. Radovan.
number, field reference and associated stratum, obverse and
reverse description, diameter (D), thickness (T), weight
(W), die orientation when discernible, wear and corrosion
measures, the mint and date of the coin when obtainable, Reverse: On r. …S(?)ILEW…/…I…U On l. Q(?)
and a bibliographic reference for the coin type.1 A brief EOY/…KATORO…; Nike, advancing l. in
discussion of the coin is included where appropriate. 2 profile, holding wreath in outstretched arm,
palm branch over shoulder; control mark left
5.1.1 Hellenistic Coins of skirt, X, another unidentifiable mark on far
left rim.
1. Field Reference: MC 0492, NE.A.8.L0005, Str. IIA Measurements: D: 17 mm; T: 3 mm; W: 4.90 g
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus, r.; dotted border, Die orientation: ; W 3/4, C 3/2
beveled edge. Mint/Date: Antioch; ca. 129–128 B.C.E.
Reference: SC 2170 v (Houghton et al.
1
This study uses Frey-Kupper, Dubuis, and Brem (1995) for the wear 2008:#2170)
and corrosion scale, in which W = wear and C = corrosion. The scale Image: Fig. 5.1
is a numbered scale (0–5) in which W 0 is uncertain or no wear, W 5 is Comments: The coin inscription can be read as
extremely worn to completely flat. C 0 is uncertain or non-corroded, C 5
is extremely to completely corroded. For example, a wear and corrosion BASILEWS DHMHTPIOY QEOY NIKATOPOS,
report for a coin reading W 1/2, C 1/2 would describe the wear on the meaning “of King Demetrius God Victorious,” which
obverse and reverse and the corrosion of the obverse and the reverse dates this coin to the second reign of Demetrius II.
respectively.
2
It is important to remember the limitations of coin evidence. While an Despite his epitaph, Demetrius was almost anything
identified coin may be accurately dated to a narrow range of years, the other than victorious, having been captured by
date refers only to the minting of the coin. The amount of wear a coin has the Parthian King Mithridates I in 140/39 B.C.E.,
undergone will better determine the date of deposition; wear, however,
is variable and all dates determined by this means must be treated as unsuccessful in battle against Ptolemy VIII, and finally
approximations, not absolutes. It must also be remembered that coins are defeated at Damascus in 126 B.C.E. by Alexander II. He
small and easily moved from one stratum to another by means of animal was killed at Tyre after the defection of the Syrian cities
or even vegetal activity. At Tel Zahara, the presence of so many animal
burrows and extensive root systems make coin intrusions particularly he had unsuccessfully ruled on and off for less than ten
likely. With such a small sample of coins, the floral and faunal activity years.
resulting in intrusions between layers, and the harshness of the soil on
coin preservation, great care must be made to view this evidence as Beginning in the third century B.C.E., much of the
supporting and open to interpretation. For a more in-depth discussion of
these limitations, see Walker (1997). fertile land in the Jezreel Valley was classified as

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Excavations at Tel Zahara (2006–2009)

Table 5.1 Coins found at Tel Zahara.

Catalogue # oBjeCt # CoIn Category Stratum FIndSpot reFerenCeS

1 0492 Hellenistic IIA NE.A.8.L0005 SC 2170 v
2 0291 Roman IB SE.A.6.L0002 BMC Palestine 21
3 0327 Roman IIC NE.A.11.L0020 BMC Phoenicia 338–355
4 0347 Roman IB NE.A.7.L0010 Kindler 1983: 107, #8b
5 0532 Unknown IIA NE.A.6.L0004
6 0480 Unknown IB NE.B.10.L0010
7 0637 Unknown IIC SE.A.8.L0016
8 0192 Ayyubid IB SE.A.11.L0001 Balog 1980: Nos. 665, 666
9 0002 Ayyubid IB SE.A.17.L0001 Balog 1980: No. 825
10 6085 Ayyubid NA NA Balog 1980: No. 871

“King’s Land,” owned by and farmed for the crown

(Berlin 1997a:12). These royal lands were passed back
and forth between Ptolemaic and Seleucid kings as the
Hefzibah inscription, found near Scythopolis, indicates.
It is possible that the farm at Tel Zahara was associated
with one of these royal properties in the second century
B.C.E.

The armies of John Hyrcanus overran Scythopolis and

its surroundings at the end of the second century B.C.E.
(Josephus Ant. XIII, 10:3; BJ I, 2:7).3 The city’s gentile
residents were evicted and the surrounding area was Fig. 5.2 Roman coin of Antoninus Pius. Photo by Z. Radovan.
laid waste. It is very likely that the settlement at Tel
Zahara was abandoned at this time, if the owners were
indeed Seleucid supporters or tenants. Either way, after
113 B.C.E., coins from Seleucid rulers would have been
extremely unpopular; Demetrius II, for example, was
widely detested by the Hasmoneans (1 Macc. 11:53),
and his coins would have been quickly replaced by 2. Field Reference: MC 0291; SE.A.6.L0002, Str. IB
Hasmonean coinage. Obverse: Bearded bust, facing r.
Reverse: Two nude males facing front, mirror images
5.1.2 Roman Provincial Coins 4 of each other. Figure on l. has his rt. arm
raised, part of a spear is visible, probably
Under the Roman Empire, various cities in the region clasped in his rt. hand, his l. hand is on his
were allowed by the emperor to mint coinage for local hip. A spear is visible to the rt. of the second
circulation (Sartre 2005:254). Cities could earn or lose this figure. The rt. arm of the right figure is bent,
privilege for various reasons, such as rebelling against the his hand resting on his hip. Between the two
Romans (Kindler 1982/3:80). Many cities, however, such as figures is an unknown object, probably an
Scythopolis which maintained the right to mint for over 300 eagle.
years, only produced coins occasionally (Barkay 2003:169); Measurements: D: 20 mm; T: ca. 3 mm; W: 6.86 g
as a result, many coins stayed in circulation for decades, Die orientation: ; W 4/4, C 4/3
even centuries, which may explain the extreme wear found Mint/Date: Aelia Capitolina; 151 C.E.
on the coins at Tel Zahara. Reference: BMC Palestine 21(Hill 1914:#21).
Image: Fig. 5.2
3
Josephus gives contradictory dates for this event, coming either before
Comments: The two figures on the reverse of the
the sack of Samaria (in Ant.) or after (in BJ). coin are nude males, identified as the Dioscuri. There
4
Another name sometimes used for Roman provincial coins is “Greek are two types of Dioscuri coins depicting the twins,
Imperial.” This term is often misleading, however, suggesting that the
coins are dated to the Hellenistic period. In actuality, it refers to the local
one with an eagle between them and one without.
currency minted by various autonomous and semi-autonomous cities in Antoninus Pius minted coins celebrating the six hundred
the Levant after the end of Hasmonean rule, extending through the Roman and fiftieth anniversary of the Dioscuri, in 151 C.E.
period until the latter half of the third century (Sheedy 2001:39). Because
of the potential confusion in terminology, this study instead utilizes the
(Kadman 1956:#22; see also Rosenberger 1972:#14
term “Roman Provincial.” and Meshorer 1989:#22).

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 E. Estrup and M. Hawari: The Coinage

3. Field Reference: MC 0327; NE.A.11.L0020, Str. IIC

Obverse: Possible bust, profile, facing r.
Reverse: Palm tree in center; around, from l.
upwards, inscription: [monogram] MH(?)
Measurements: D: 15 mm; T: 1 mm; W: 1.15 g
Die orientation: ; W 4/4, C 5/4
Mint/Date: Tyre; 104–167 C.E.
Reference: BMC Phoenicia 338–355, most
similar to #338 (Hill 1910:#338)
Image: Fig. 5.3
Comments: There are many different types of
Fig. 5.3 Autonomous coin from Tyre. Photo by Z. Radovan. palm tree decorated Tyre city coins. BMC Phoenicia
Tyre (types #249 and #250) date to 108/7–65/4 B.C.E.,
BMC Phoenicia Tyre (types #275–287) date to 18/17
B.C.E.–114/115 C.E., and finally BMC Phoenicia
Tyre (types #338–355) date to 104/5–166/7 C.E. The
inscription running clockwise around the outer edge of
these last Tyre type coins is similar to what can be seen
on the coin from Tel Zahara. The location and direction
of the inscription is characteristic to the final series of
types, #338–355, dating the Tel Zahara coin to that
series, between 104–167 C.E.

Tyre was the main mint in the southern Levant from the
mid fourth century B.C.E. to the mid third century C.E.
Fig. 5.4 Roman coin of Antonius Pius, depicting Faustina the (Syon 2008:295). It is therefore not surprising to find
Elder. Photo by Z. Radovan. Tyrian coins throughout Palestine, despite there being
other active mints in the area. Tyre was not only prolific,
it was also fairly consistent in its choice of decoration
and there are numerous types of palm tree decorated
Tyre city coins, dating from 108 B.C.E. to 167 C.E.
Variations, such as the location of the lettering, which
appears to encircle the palm tree on the reverse of this
coin, aid in the identification on the particular issue of
Tyre coin.

4. Field Reference: MC 0347; NE.A.7.L0010, Str. IB

Obverse: Veiled head, facing r.
Reverse: Tyche, standing to front, head turned l.,
r. arm outstretched, holding spear, l. arm
bent, hand on hip, l. foot on unknown
object.
Fig. 5.5 Unknown coin. Photo by Z. Radovan.
Measurements: D: 15 mm; T: 1.5–2 mm; W: 2.22 g
Die orientation: ; W 5/3, C 4/3
Mint/Date: Bostra;5 141–144 C.E.
Reference: Kindler 1983:107, #8b (see also
Spijkerman 1978:#11).
Image: Fig. 5.4
Comments: The coin was minted by order of
Antoninus Pius who wanted to celebrate his first wife,
Faustina, who died in 140/141 C.E. and was then deified.
It is her deified image depicted on the obverse. There are
numerous variants of this coin, in sizes ranging between
14 and 20 mm in diameter.

5
Technically, Bostra is a Roman Imperial, although provincial, mint run
Fig. 5.6 Beveled coin of unknown source or date. Photo by Z. by the Roman authorities in the region and not a semi-autonomous civic
Radovan. coin. However, coins from Bostra are often included in lists of semi-
autonomous coinage (see Sheedy 2001:125–128 and Kindler 1983:102).

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Excavations at Tel Zahara (2006–2009)

5.1.3 Unknown/Unidentifiable Coins

Three coins were too worn or corroded to be identifiable,

although they may be identified with further study.

5. Field Reference: MC 0532; NE.A.6.L0004, Str. IIA

Obverse: Bust of head, facing r. Possibly female.
Reverse: Building?
Measurements: D: 11 mm; T: 1 mm; W: unknown.
Die orientation: ; W 4/4, C 5/5
Mint/Date: unknown
Image: Fig. 5.5
Fig. 5.7 Obliterated coin. Photo by Z. Radovan.
6. Field Reference: MC 0480; NE.B.10.L.0010, Str. IB
Obverse: Head? Beveled edge.6
Reverse: Palm tree?
Measurements: D: 15 mm; T: 3 mm; W: 2.45 g
Die orientation: unknown; W 5/5, C 5/5.
Mint/Date: Unknown; possibly before 73 C.E.
Image: Fig. 5.6

7. Field Reference: MC 0637; SE.A.8: L.0016, Str. IIC

Obverse: Obliterated by corrosion.
Reverse: Obliterated by corrosion.
Measurements: D: 11.5 mm; T: 2 mm; W: unknown.
Die orientation: unknown; W 0/0, C 5/5.
Mint/Date: unknown
Image: Fig. 5.7
Fig. 5.8 Ayyubid coin 1. Photo by Z. Radovan.

5.2 Summary

Set just a few kilometers away from Scythopolis, Tel Zahara

was economically tied to the city. It seems odd then, that no
Scythopolis city coins were recovered at the site. However,
only 30 percent of coins recovered from the city itself were
minted locally (Barkay 2003:185). Most of the coinage in
circulation in Scythopolis and the surrounding hinterland
were brought into the region through trade and military
expansion. The lack of Scythopolis coins at Tel Zahara may
then easily understood as an accident of loss and survival.

The presence of the Seleucid coin (Catalog #1, Fig. 5.1),

with moderate wear, may suggest Tel Zahara was a royal
farm, although evidence provided by only one coin is Fig. 5.9 Ayyubid coin 2. Photo by Z. Radovan.
minimal, at best. If it was a farm linked with the ruling
class, Tel Zahara may have been abandoned quickly around
the time of the fall of Scythopolis. This corresponds to
when Seleucid coins were replaced with Hasmonean coins,
and Scythopolis itself was abandoned (Barkay 2003:20).

After Pompey the Great freed Scythopolis from Hasmonean

rule in 63 B.C.E., the city recovered economically and
minted coins sporadically. Under Antoninus Pius, many
cities in Province Syria Palaestina produced a large number
of coins, possibly resulting in a glut of coins in circulation.
This, coupled with the plagues of 165–166 C.E., likely

6
The use of beveled flans slowly faded out between the end of Seleucid
rule and the end of the first Jewish revolt, in 73 C.E., after which time all Fig. 5.10 Ayyubid coin 3. Photo by Z. Radovan.
coins were minted using regular flans (Kushnir-Stein 2000:78).

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 E. Estrup and M. Hawari: The Coinage

affected the region economically, as coin production slowed Ghazi continuously issued copper currency which lasted
until the Roman Empire finally closed provincial mints in from the first year of his reign in 582 H / 1186 C.E. until
the third century. The last issue of coins from Scythopolis his death in 613 H / 1216 C.E. The weight of the fals
date to Gordian III in 238 C.E. (Barkay 2003:96). The ranged between 2.97 and 7 grams (Balog 1980:43).
Roman coins recovered at Tel Zahara all showed extensive
wear, suggesting continual usage for anywhere between 50 9. Field Reference: MC 0002; SE.A17.L0001, Str. IB
to 100 years (Walker 1976:332). Rulers/Dates: Al-Malik al-Mansur Nasir al-Din
Muhammad I ibn al-Muzaffar Taqi
The diversity of the mints in the Roman period suggests that al-Din ‘Umar, 587–617 H /1191–1220
this region was part of a large network of cities, perhaps C.E., with his overlord prince of
a trade system in which the small farm at Tel Zahara Aleppo al-Malik al-Zahir Ghiyath al-
participated, most probably linked to the nearby market at Din Ghazi, 582–613 H / 1186–1216
Beth Shean/Scythopolis. C.E., and the Caliph al-Nasir, 575–622
H / 1180–1225 C.E.
5.3 The Ayyubid Coins Mint and date: Hamah; no date
Description: Partially effaced; linear circle enclosed
During the excavations at Tel Zahara, three Islamic copper within a dotted circle; ornate kufic
coins were discovered in the surface material (Table 5.1). script.
None of the three coins show dates or mints. Based on Type: Copper fals.
names of rulers, and on stylistic grounds, however, all are Measurement: Average diameter 21 mm
assignable to the Ayyubid period, between 582–647 H / Image: Fig. 5.9
1186–1249 C.E. Obverse: [al-Malik al-Zahir al-Malik] al-
Man[su]r; an ornament under
5.3.1 Catalogue inscription

8. Field Reference: MC 0192; SE.A.11.L0001. Str. IB Reverse: al-Im[am al-Nasir], struck in Hamah
Rulers/Dates: Al-Malik al-Zahir Ghiyath al-Din
Ghazi, 582–613 H / 1186–1216 C.E., Comments: The coin was probably issued by al-
with the Caliph al-Nasir, 575–622 H / Malik al-Mansur Muhammad I (587–617 H/ 1191–1220
1180–1225 C.E. C.E.); he was the first prince of Hamah (Syria) to issue
Mint and date: Missing. copper coinage in his own name, but recognizing
Description: The inscriptions on the coin are written the Ayyubid prince of Aleppo al-Zahir Ghazi as his
in cursive (naskh) script. The coin overlord. This coin is similar to a coin published by
is pierced in two places, which may Balog (1980:249, No. 825–ANS, Pl. XL).
indicate that it was re-used as part
of a necklace or some other item of 10. Field Reference: MC 0005, found on pathway, no field
apparel decorated with coins, such as context
a headdress or belt (Rajab 1989). Rulers/Dates: Al-Malik al-Salih Najm al-Din
Type: Copper fals. Ayyub, 643–647 H / 1245–1249 C.E.,
Measurement: Average diameter 23 mm with the Caliph al-Musta’sim billah,
Image: Fig. 5.8 640–656 H / 1242–1258 C.E.
Obverse: in field the name of al-Malik al-Zahir Mint and date: Missing.
Ghazi Description: Largely effaced; dotted square
enclosed within a linear square.
Reverse: in field [...] al-Imam al-Nasir Amir al- Type: Copper fals.
Mu’minin (... Caliph al-Nasir, Prince Measurement: Average diameter 20 mm
of the Faithful) Image: Fig. 5.10
Obverse: al-Ma[lik] [al-Salih ... Ayyub?]...
Comments: This coin is similar to two other coins
struck in Aleppo by al-Zahir Ghazi in 597 H / 1201 C.E. Reverse: al-Mus[ta’]sim; on the margin the
and 598 H /1203 C.E., published by Balog (1980:214, word: ‘duriba (struck); star and ringlet
Nos. 665, 666, Pl. XXXII). The Ayyubid principality of under inscription; dots forming part of
Aleppo, in north Syria, issued silver and copper coins square.
(fals) in the name of its ruler al-Zahir Ghazi, Saladin’s
son. These coins have their own style. The ornamented Comments: Based on the names of rulers and on
kufic, with a floweret at the top and bottom of the field, stylistic grounds, the coin may be assigned to the reign of
were started by Saladin and continued by his son al- the Ayyubid Sultan al-Malik al-Salih Najm al-Din Ayyub
Zahir Ghazi, until 596 H / 1201 C.E. The central legend, (643 – 647 H /1245 – 1249 C.E.), and the Abbasid Caliph
enclosed within an ornamented square, is in naskh and al-Musta’sim 640 – 656 H / 1242 – 1258 C.E. (similar to
the marginal inscriptions are in kufic (Balog 1980:50). Al- Balog 1980: no. 871, p.262, Pl.XLIV).

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Excavations at Tel Zahara (2006–2009)

5.3.2 Discussion Cairo and Damascus. The semi-independent or vassal

princes of the provinces struck silver dirhams, but mainly
Ayyubid coins are found in many collections and large copper fals in the capitals of their domains. Copper coins
hoards have been excavated in many sites all over Bilad did not always contain the overlord’s full titles as these
al-Sham (Greater Syria). Saladin and his heirs of the served only the needs of the local circulation. The earliest
Ayyubid dynasty issued gold, silver and copper coinage in Ayyubid copper coins appear in 581 H / 1185 C.E., each
their principalities for almost 80 years, between 570–647 weighing 12–14 grams with figural design on one side and
H / 1174–1249 C.E. (Broome 1985:95). It includes the an inscription on the other. From 589 H / 1193 C.E. the
Ayyubid rulers’ protocol on one side and that of the Abbasid figures were replaced with inscriptions, with short titles of
caliphs on the other. The right to issue gold dinars was the the ruler on one side and the Abbasid Caliph on the other,
prerogative of sultans in the two capitals of the empire, occasionally with an inscription around the margin.

102