Catalog
| Issuer | Gaza (Cities of Philistia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 450 BC - 400 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.33 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered, Incuse |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Gitler&Tal#VI.2D , HGC 10#548 , Traité II#1067 |
| Obverse description | Female head right, oriental hairstyle with bunched hair in the back. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Forepart of a horse right with forelegs stretched forwards; the forelocks of the horse are tied with a ribbon. In upper left field letters Zayin, ‘Ayin. Dotted border set in incuse square. |
| Reverse script | Aramaic |
| Reverse lettering |
(Translation: Ayin Zayin) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (450 BC - 400 BC) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 8309585920 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This silver drachm originates from Gaza, a pivotal city among the Cities of Philistia, during the Achaemenid Persian suzerainty (450-400 BC). Gaza’s strategic position as a vital trade nexus between Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia afforded it significant economic power and a degree of local autonomy in minting. This coinage reflects Gaza's prosperity and its role as a crucial administrative and commercial hub within the vast Persian Empire, demonstrating a blend of imperial influence and local self-governance.
Artistry: While the engraver remains anonymous, typical for the period, the coin exhibits a distinctive Greco-Persian stylistic blend. The obverse often features a finely rendered deity head, frequently reflecting Greek artistic conventions in its idealized form and detailed coiffure. The reverse commonly displays a local animal or symbol, executed with a more regional aesthetic. This fusion underscores Gaza's cultural crossroads identity, absorbing Hellenic artistic trends while maintaining indigenous iconographic traditions in its numismatic expression.
Technical/Grading: Struck on a 15 mm flan weighing 3.33 grams, this drachm adheres to the established Achaemenid weight standard for the region. Due to manual striking, examples often show some degree of off-centering or incomplete strike, particularly around the flan edges. High-points susceptible to wear include the deity’s hair, facial features (nose, eye), and intricate details of the reverse device. A well-struck specimen will exhibit sharp details on both sides, with a full flan and minimal die wear, enhancing its numismatic appeal.