Legionary Token Currency
251, Lot: 252. Estimate $400. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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JUDAEA, Caesarea Maritima. 1st-2nd centuries AD. Æ “minima” (11mm, 0.72 g, 3h). Copying pruthot of the First Jewish War. Amphora with broad rim and two handles within wreath / Grape or fig leaf. Hamburger,
Caesarea -; Meshorer 369. VF, earthen green patina.
A recurring phenomenon around Caesarea is the appearance of reduced module imitiations of circulating coinage. The pieces most often published are so-called “minims” which copy the bronze prutahs of the Herodian kings, the procurators, and the First Jewish War. As quantities of these coins have been found in outlying regions, especially around the sites of the legionary encampments, rather than in the city proper, they probably served as a token currency in the camps and their associated settlements. For further discussion, see H. Hamburger, “Minute Coins from Caesarea,” Atiqot I (1956).