Drachm

The Philistian coinage of the fifth and fourth centuries BC remains one of the most contested areas of ancient numismatics — attribution to specific cities like Gaza, Ashkelon, or Ashdod is still actively debated, and the "uncertain" designation here is honest rather than lazy. These issues emerged as Persian imperial administration encouraged local silver coinage for tax collection and troop payment throughout the Levantine satrapies. The series draws heavily on Athenian and Sidonian prototypes, reflecting the Mediterranean commercial networks passing through Philistia before Alexander's campaigns ended local civic minting entirely.