Treasures of Masada - Second Set
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Item number: 71899218
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| TREASURES OF MASADA 160 Years of Turbulent History at Masada Reflected in a Series of Six Coin Replicas in Silver The spectacular site of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea was the site of the Jewish Zealot’s last stand against the Roman Empire. After the fall, Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel was lost for 1,879 years. Archaeological excavations at the site have revealed a wealth of well-preserved ancient remains, owing to the dry desert climate, the fact that Masada was not immediately reoccupied after its destruction, and because the excavations were expertly directed by an experienced team of archaeologists headed by Yigael Yadin. Over 4,600 coins were uncovered in the 1963–1965 excavations at Masada. These included four hoards of silver coins. This was, at the time, the largest number of coins found in any excavation in Israel, in which thousands of volunteers participated. Such great quantities of coins allowed the excavators to determine a great deal about the history of Masada, above and beyond what was known from the previous references to the site in historical and literary sources. The coins are now in the State of Israel National Collection and are under the care of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The six coins replicated in this series reflect the history of Masada, from its first occupation by the Hasmoneans (beginning of first century BCE) to Masada’s tragic end in 73 CE at the hand of Roman troops led by General Lucius Flavius Silva. Silva caused the deposition of most of the coins in Masada. And it was an Israeli general (Yadin) who uncovered them. Each coin reflects a different phase in the life of the magnificent and famous mountain fortress— now a World Heritage site. The coins were struck in the Holy Land in three mints (Jerusalem, Caesarea, Petra) by rulers from three different cultural spheres (Jewish, Nabatean, Roman), and in three different languages (Hebrew, Nabatean and Greek). Considering their variety it is most impressive that all of the coins ended up together on the top of such a forsaken mountain. Two peaceful periods at Masada are reflected in the coins (first and fourth coins). But also two times of war are represented: the Hasmonean Mattathias’ siege of the Herodian family (second and third coins), and the Roman legions’ battle against the refugees of the first Jewish revolt (fifth and sixth coins). In its selection of these coins, Israel Coins and Medals Corporation was professionally assisted by the Coin Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The replicas in this series were faithfully reproduced from the original coins, whose publication numbers in the scientific report are noted in the following pages - IAA numbers (Israel Antiquities Authority) or HUJI (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel). For prevention of fraudulence, and in compliance with Israeli and United States Law, the word "copy" has been engraved on one side of each replica. The replicas are also larger and heavier than the original coins, eliminating any possibility of confusion, while enhancing the details of the original coins. The historical and archaeological documentation in this brochure has been prepared by Dr. Donald T. Ariel, Head of Coin Department, Israel Antiquities Authority. HEROD THE GREAT (8 PRUTOT) Herod (the Great) was anointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate in late 40 BCE, but he only completed the conquest of his kingdom three years later. Herod’s family had been besieged in the ancient Hasmonean fortress at Masada for many months during his war against Antigonus. Rather than want to forget this hapless experience for his family, Herod decided to create a desert paradise on top of the mountain. The result became the architectural high point of Masada. An aqueduct was routed there, providing an unlimited supply of water. Palaces, fortifications, baths and extensive storehouses were constructed. This coin of Herod depicts, on one side, a helmet surmounted by a star and decorated with ivy-leaf wreath. Cheek pieces hang below. The helmet rests on a couch or ceremonial table, and the whole is adorned with flanking palm branches. On the other side of the coin a tripod is represented. In its bowl above are fruits. The inscription "King Herod" in Greek surrounds the tripod. Current research suggests the helmet was Herod’s own personal helmet and that it, as well as the palm branches and tripod, are all symbolic of Herod’s victory over the Hasmonean Antigonus. The coin was minted in Jerusalem soon after the completion of that city’s conquest in 37 BCE. Specifications of the Original Coin, Masada Coin 110 (IAA 68769): Bronze coin (eight prutot) of Herod (the Great) Mint: Jerusalem Date: Summer 37 BCE Weight: 4.62 g Diameter: 22 mm Specifications of the Coin Replica: Cat. No. 21900280 Metal: Silver 980/1000 Mint: ICMC, Israel Mint Year: 2010 Weight: ≈13 g Diameter: ≈28 mm NABATEAN COIN Between various important periods of habitation and prosperity, it is the nature of deserts to return to anonymity. The area around the Dead Sea was well attested during Herod’s battles against Antigonus, and during Herod’s reign, when the king not only developed the balsam and date-palm industries, but also built both unfortified and fortified winter palaces in this arid region. But following Herod’s reign, anonymity returned to Masada and the region. The current view is that, at that time, the Masada stronghold in this "no-mans-land" came under the sphere of influence of neighbors who were not particularly friendly to the Herodians. Nabatean control began sometime after 18 CE and continued roughly until the '50s CE. The 55 Nabatean coins found at Masada — including 35 of Malichus II (50–70 CE) — support this view. The Nabateans were a large and wealthy — but semi-nomadic — people, who prospered due to their control over the trade routes to Arabia and further east, the source of fantastically valuable spices and unguents. This coin of Malichus II depicts the king’s laurel-wreathed head on one side and the veiled portrait of his queen consort, Shuqailat. Their names appear (in Nabatean), "Malichus the King, King of the Nabateans" and "Shuquailat his sister, Queen of the Nabateans", on the respective sides of the coin. Specifications of the Original Coin, Masada coin 3626 (HUJI C6738) This coin in the archaeological collection of the Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University: Silver coin (drachm?) of Malichus II Mint: Petra (?) Date: 50–70 CE Weight: 3.04 g Diameter: 13 mm Specifications of the Coin Replica: Cat. No. 21901210 Metal: Silver 980/1000 Mint: ICMC, Israel Mint Year: 2010 Weight: ≈6.5 g Diameter: ≈20 mm |
