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Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 510Auction date: 23 February 2022
Lot number: 610

Lot description:


JUDAEA, Gaza. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Time of Hadrian, AD 117-138. Æ (12mm, 2.60 g, 1h). Dually dated epidemia 5 and CY 194 (133/4 CE). Minos standing left, holding spear and branch / Sycamore tree, mem to right; ΔЧP (date) in legend. Rosenberger 34; RPC III 4038; Sofaer 78 var. (date). Rough brown surfaces. Near VF. Very rare, only two known to RPC, one at CoinArchives.

From the Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection. Ex Edward Janis Collection (Coin Galleries, 14 April 1999), lot 380.

Yashin identifies the tree as the sycamore tree of Gortyna on Crete. Under this tree, according to myth, Zeus abducted Europa, later bearing three sons, the eldest being Minos. The iconography on this rare coin symbolizes the connection between Gaza and the Phoenician settlements on Crete, and more specifically, Gaza's city god Marnas' similarity to Zeus.

Estimate: 100 USD