Customer Reviews

Samarian Coinage (Publications of the Israel Numismatic Society: Numismatic Studies and Researches, Volume IX)

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Meshorer and Qedar,rigorous numismatic scholars have created a detailed,yet engaging book that is essentially a "catalog raissone" of all currently known types of Samarian coins. This clearly organized book with well executed line drawings and photographs of all the coins will provide a basis for others to undertake even more specialized research on this fascinating series. I would emphasize that this is an entirely new book,different from their earlier (1991) book on The Coinage of Samaria in the Fourth Century BCE. There are several entirely new sections. This work presents chapters on historical background,prototypes,paleography,inscription,etc. There is a detailed analysis of all coin motifs with fascinating comparisons to symbols on Phoenician,Greek,Persian,Cilician,Egyptian and early Israelite motifs. A novel comparison of Samarian coin motifs to designs on inscribed 8th century BCE painted jar from the Northern Kingdom of Israel ( the Arjud Kuntillet Jar) suggests that many of the Samarian Coin motifs were prevalent in an earlier,very syncretistic Northern Kingdom of Israel. Many pagan motifs raise questions about the Samaritan's claim to be the true bearers of the Yahwistic cult. The book is elegantly styled with glossy paper,clear images and an attractive cloth binding. The tiny coins are illustrated by size and enlargement 3x,6x for easier viewing. The large number of coin types vary in style from "folk art" quality to the style of elegant Greek design. I recommend the book highly.

A Gateway to History and Culture

Mosherer and Qeder's _Samarian Coinage_ is an update of the previously published _The Coinage of Samaria_. The number of coins is increased in this volume from the 108 which were previously unknown by the time of the publication of the first volume. In addition some of the descriptions have been corrected.

The study of coins is a gateway to the history and culture from which they come which in this case is 375 BCE to 332 BCE. For example, most readers will recognize this latter as the time of Alexander the Great. Or consider the rich volume of numismatic material which indicates a thriving economy. Or consider that the head of Melqart/Heracles appears on five of the coins and so is indicative of the Sidonian influence upon Samaria at this time.

Though it is a short book, only 128 pages with 31 plates, I find that I thumb its pages again and again looking for one more thing, and I think that anyone else with an interest in ancient coins will do the same.