Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1244. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SAMARIA, Caesarea Maritima. "Minim". 1st century CE. Æ 14mm (1.17 gm, 1h). Grape leaf / Palm branch. Kadman Jewish 53; Meshorer 370; Hendin -; Maltiel-Gerstenfeld, 260 Years of Ancient Jewish Coins, 240; SNG ANS -. VF for type, desert patina. Rare. ($400)

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 a further discussion, see H. Hamburger, “Minute Coins from Caesarea,” Atiqot I (1956).