Rare Nabataean drachm

[Factor]

I just won a very nice and rare Nabataean drachm on this week's CNG e-sale. Aretas IV, year 21 (12/3 CE, year of Jesus's Bar Mitzvah 😁) with clear date and most of the legend visible. Very rare, only third known for the year, and it was unpublished until Mizrahi collection book came out. It also is very similar in style to a currently unique year 22 drachm I have, which was published here last year: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Ejournals/index.php/ozean/article/view/4673

Overall I am very happy with my purchase. Amazing that silver coins of this period and such rarity, and in decent condition can be acquired on a major auction for a very reasonable price. 

[CPK]

Very nice coin!

[mcwyler]

I do have a couple of Nabataean bronzes, they seem to crop up often in some auctions. But I did manage to pick up a silver piece at a recent auction too:-

Kings of Nabathaea, Aretas IV, with Shaqilat, 9 BC - AD 40 Petra Drachm circa 9 BC - AD 40, AR 14.00 mm., 3.83 g.

[JAZ Numismatics]

@Factor @mcwyler Those are very attractive drachms! All Nabataean silver is rare, compared to Roman and Greek. The Nabataeans did not store their wealth in coins, but rather in commodities and property. They minted no gold, and even the silver is debased, down to .400 fine by the end of the kingdom. It was small change for local commerce. Furthermore, many Nabataean drachms were overstruck when Trajan annexed the kingdom as Provincia Arabia, and many were likely melted down. The demand for Nabataean coins, however, is low, so it's not surprising to acquire rarities at modest prices. Most generalized collectors might have one or two Nabataean coins at most, as representatives of the culture.

One fascinating aspect of these coins is the ubiquitous portrayal of the queens. Starting with the issues of Obodas II, the queens appear on all the drachms, and most of the bronzes. See my thread...

The Role of Women in Nabataean Society

[mcwyler]

That's a very interesting thread @JAZ Numismatics!