The Mint of 'Akko through the Ages more

Fig. 72: Bronze colonial issue for Aquilia Severa, wife of Elagabalus (minted c. 220-221 CE). Obverse: Draped bust of Aquilia Severa r. Around: IVL AQVILIA SEVERA AV. Reverse: A complex portable shrine consisting of a tetrastyle temple over a hexastyle structure. In the central arch, a statue of Tyche to left, crowned by a figure of Nike on a column behind her; to left, statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa; to right, statue of Athena; below, hexastyle portico with a central arch occupied by a statue of Zeus and with other statues. The portico rests on a series of semi-circular arches. Probably unique. (Photo courtesy of LHS Numismatik) 66* Danny Syon The Mint of Akko through the Ages Danny Syon Israel Antiquities Authority One of the privileges of a great city in antiquity was the minting of coins. Often this was done for the ruling power, but in certain periods cities minted in their own names and for their own benefit. Even when the coins were minted for the ruler, the city was usually identified on the coins, and this is how its minting history can be traced. Akko, though not the most prolific mint in the southern Levant – that title no doubt belongs to Tyre – was certainly among the longest producing mints, one of the most varied, and a mint that could count several superlatives in its minting history. In fact, the mint of Akko has – with some breaks – a 1,500 year history. Coins are miniature historical documents reflecting persons, places, and events at the time a coin was struck. As such, they can shed light on subjects that are too mundane to have occupied ancient historians, yet are priceless for the modern historian. The Alexandrine Period Some coins of the Persian period (6th-4th centuries BCE) were once thought to have been minted in Akko, but today it is almost certain that the city's minting started with Alexander the Great. This ruler effectively created a new coinage that became accepted as the universal currency throughout Alexander’s empire and the Western Mediterranean. This was especially true of the silver tetradrachms, known today simply as “Alexanders,” which became so popular that they were minted in huge quantities and imitated long after Alexander's death in 323 BCE. Akko was the first city in the southern Levant to mint coinage in the name of Alexander; Sidon followed suit. Both gold staters (Fig. 73) and silver tetradrachms (Fig. 74) were minted in Akko. Although the style and artistic level of the Akko mint is not considered among the finest, its importance lies in that it produced (along with Sidon) the only dated coins at the time. The dates range from “year 20” to “year 39” according to an era beginning in 346/5 BCE; that is, from 327 to 308/7 BCE, or after Alexander’s death. The coins bear the abbreviated name of Akko in Phoenician letters: åO. The Ptolemaic Period After the upheavals caused by the splitting up of Alexander’s empire among his heirs (the diadochoi), Akko became part of the Ptolemaic kingdom, centered in Egypt, sometime toward the end of Ptolemy I's reign (305-286 BCE). Minting resumed in Akko under Ptolemy II, who named the port-city Ptolemais, in honor of his father, Ptolemy I, the founder of the dynasty. Gold (Fig. 75), silver (Fig. 76), and bronze (Fig. 77) coins were Fig. 73: Gold stater of Alexander the Great (posthumous issue). Obverse: Head of Athena with Corinthian helmet. Reverse: Nike advancing left. At right, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. At left, åO (‘AK) and date 30 (317/6 BCE). (Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coins) Fig. 74: Silver tetradrachm of Alexander the Great (c. 330-327 BCE). Obverse: Head of Herakles with lion's skin. Reverse: Zeus Aetophoros with sceptre seated on throne and holding an eagle on his out-stretched hand. At right, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander). At left, åO (‘AK). (Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coins) Danny Syon 67* minted in Akko, however, as minting took place only for a short duration under both Ptolemy II and Ptolemy III (261-242 BCE). The Ptolemaic monetary system was a closed one, and the coin types were rather monotonous. Thus, the coins minted in Akko were practically identical to those minted in any number of Fig. 75: Gold octodrachm of Ptolemy III (246-221 BCE). Year 6 (242/241 BCE). Obverse: Diademed and veiled head of Arsinöe II, with lotus-tipped sceptre over her shoulder. Reverse: Double cornucopiae with fruit, bound with fillet. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ (of Arsinöe philadelphos). At left, mintmark of Akko: Ô. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) Ptolemaic mints and differed only in the mintmark letters of Ptolemais. V, which is a ligature of the Greek letters ΠTO, the first The Seleucid Period (Figs. 78-83) Following the battle of Paneion (200 BCE), the Seleucid dynasty, another contender to Alexander’s heritage, took control of Phoenicia and, of course, Akko. Although the name Ptolemais remained, the city was also referred to as Aké. Royal Seleucid coins were minted in the city from the very beginning of Fig. 76: Silver tetradrachm of Ptolemy III (246-222 BCE). Obverse: Head of Ptolemy I, with diadem and aegis around his neck. Reverse: Eagle with closed wings standing to the left on a thunderbolt. Around: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ (of Ptolemy the savior). At left, mintmark of Akko: V; at right, ligature of the name of a mint official. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) the Seleucid rule until the late 2nd century BCE. The bronze types were numerous, and until the end of the reign of Antiochus IV (175-164 BCE), this mint was responsible for practically all the bronze currency needs of Palestine (Fig 79). Although the silver standard in the Seleucid kingdom – and in most of the Hellenistic world – was the Attic weight of c. 17 grams (Figs. 78, 80, 82), many mints in Phoenicia minted mostly, but not exclusively, according to the Ptolemaic standard of c. 14 grams (Fig 81). It is the only known example of a kingdom that concurrently struck precious metal coins based on two different standards, the reason being the economic benefits gained through trade with Egypt. Akko was the first mint to introduce the Ptolemaic standard under Antiochus V (164-162 BCE). It also minted some unusual gold coins with Ptolemaic connections: first under Alexander Balas (152-145 BCE), who rose to power with Ptolemaic help and married the Egyptian princess Kleopatra Thea, and later when the same Kleopatra married Antiochus VIII and ruled jointly with him in Akko from 125-121 BCE. Concurrently with the minting of royal coins that for the most part carried the portrait of the king on the obverse, Akko also produced a local civic coinage under Fig. 77: Bronze of Ptolemy II (285-246 BCE). Obverse: Head of Zeus. Reverse: Eagle with closed wings standing to the left on a thunderbolt; behind its wings are double cornucopia. Around: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ (of King Ptolemy). At left, mintmark of Akko: 1. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) Fig. 78: Attic weight silver tetradrachm of Seleucus IV (187-175 BCE). Obverse: Diademed head of Seleucus. Reverse: Nude Apollo seated left on omphalos, leaning on a bow, and holding an arrow. At right and left, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ (of king Seleucus). At left, a palm branch, mintmark of Akko. Below Apollo’s arm: J (ligature of a mint official’s name). (Photo courtesy of Oliver Hoover and the American Numismatic Society) 68* Danny Syon Antiochus IV that bore the heads of the dioskouroi on the obverse and a cornucopia on the reverse (Fig. 83). The attribution of Seleucid coins to mints is often difficult and rests on long, tedious scholarship that catalogued large quantities of coins from a known provenance and on studies of style, symbols, dielinks, and monograms. For Attic weight silver coins, the mintmark of Akko was the palm branch and/or a monogram known to represent a mint official of this city. On the Phoenician weight silver coins, the Akko mintmark often appears as the monogram V Fig. 79: Bronze of Antiochus IV (175-164 BCE). Obverse: Head of Apollo. Reverse: Nude Apollo seated left on omphalos, leaning on a bow, and holding an arrow. At right and left, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (of King Antiochus). At left, a palm branch, mintmark of Akko. Below: Δ. Serrated edge. (Photo courtesy of the IAA) or the abbreviation ΠΤΟ, as well as the date. The civic coins carry an intriguing legend that has not yet been satisfactorily explained: ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΝ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΔΙ, which roughly means “the Antiocheans who are in Ptolemais.” Here the mint of Ptolemais is clearly identified, but the identity of the “Antiocheans” remains uncertain. Fig. 80: Attic weight silver tetradrachm commemorating the wedding of Alexander Balas with the Ptolemaic princess Kleopatra Thea (150 BCE). Obverse: Jugate busts of Kleopatra Thea veiled, diademed, wearing kalathos, cornucopia over her shoulder; and Alexander, diademed. Behind: a. Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros seated left, holding sceptre in his left; a small Nike, holding a thunderbolt on his outstretched right hand stands facing. At right and left, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ (of King Alexander theopator euergetes). (Photo courtesy of O. Hoover and the American Numismatic Society) Civic and Autonomous Coinage Long before the last royal Seleucid coin was struck in Akko under Antiochus IX in 107/6 BCE, civic bronze coins were back in production and signaled the beginning of the most enigmatic period in the history of this mint. The coins were produced sporadically, occasionally adding titles to the city, but for some time also acknowledging Seleucid supremacy by adding the Seleucid date. Thus, the civic coins that under Antiochus IV carried the legend "the Antiocheans who are in Ptolemais" later had the epithet ieras (holy) added to the inscription, and later still the title asylou (inviolate) was added as well. The city probably received these honors from the last Seleucid rulers, who were constantly fighting each other and doing their best to hold onto the fragments of the kingdom. The Seleucid dates can be followed until c. 109 BCE, when they disappear altogether. The coin types minted are few: on the obverse appear the heads of the dioskouroi or the bust of Apollo or Zeus, while the reverse shows a lyre, cornucopia, Zeus, or Tyche, the protector-goddess of cities. A single silver coin dated 112/1 BCE by the Seleucid era is considered by some Fig. 81: Ptolemaic weight silver tetradrachm of Alexander Balas (151-146/5 BCE). Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander Balas. Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. Around: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of King Alexander). To right ΠΤΟ (Ptolemais). To left, monogram and date ΒΞΡ (151/150 BCE). (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) Danny Syon 69* to be an autonomous issue, but this remains uncertain. Sometime in the last years of the second or in the early 1st century BCE, a unique coin appeared, bearing a legend composed of monograms and ligatures that spell out ptolemaeon iera autonomou: that is, “of Fig. 82: Attic weight silver tetradrachm from the joint reign of Antiochus VIII and Kleopatra Thea (125-121 BCE). Obverse: Jugate heads of Kleopatra and Antiochus. Reverse: Zeus with sceptre seated on throne, holding small Nike on his extended hand. To right and left, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΘΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (Queen Kleopatra Thea and King Antiochus). To left, monogram of a magistrate known to have operated in Akko. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) the people of Ptolemais the holy and autonomous.” P The coin is dated “year nine” of an unknown era of autonomy that Akko apparently received (or took?) after the end of Seleucid rule. In the following century and a half, coins were minted that bore dates according to no fewer than four different eras. Some eras are unknown, but others are clear, such as a Caesarean era beginning in 49/8 BCE, an era of Antony and Kleopatra beginning in 37/6 BCE (Fig. 84), and back to the Caesarean era after the battle of Actium, in which Antony lost to Octavian (31 BCE). In the course of this period, the legends always named the city either explicitly (ptolemaidi, ptolemaeon) or through the now familiar monogram V and its derivatives. Strangely, in the last two decades Fig. 83: Bronze civic issue under Antiochus IV (c. 169-165 BCE). Obverse: Jugate heads of the Dioskouroi with a star above each. Reverse: Cornucopia with fruit. To right and left, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΝ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΔΙ To l. monogram. Beveled edge. (Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coins) of the 1st century BCE, the ancient Semitic name AKH (Aké) reappeared on a coin of an unusual type: it shows Perseus holding the head of Medusa. Finally, coins were minted in the last few years of the Roman Emperor Claudius that bore the imperial portrait, but were dated according to the Caesarean era (Fig. 85). Fig. 84: Bronze civic issue under Mark Antony (d. 30 BCE). Obverse: Bare head of Mark Antony r, in wreath. Reverse: Tyche, standing on ship’s prow, holding tiller in her right and a cornucopia in her left. At top left date, LIA (39/8 BCE). Inscription, starting on right and ending with line under date: ΠΤΟ/ΛΕ/ΜΑ [ΕΩΝ ΙΕΡΑΣ] ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥ (ΛΟΥ). (Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coins) The Colonial Period The city of Akko was granted the status of a Roman colony probably in the year 53 or 54 CE, either in the last year of Claudius’ reign or the first year of Nero’s. The most obvious change in the coinage was the use of Latin instead of Greek for the legends. The most frequent legend on the colonial coinage is COL PTOL, short for colonia Ptolemais, but variants do exist. One of the earliest coins depicts the ceremonial founding of the colony (sulcus primigenius), showing the “founder” behind an ox and cow (Fig. 86). In this Fig. 85: Bronze Roman provincial issue under Claudius (41-54 CE). Obverse: Head of Claudius r. Reverse: ΓEPMANI[ΕΩΝ[∙∙∙. Tyche, tiller in her right and a cornucopia in her left. Date: L-Ч (41/2 CE). (Gamla Excavations) case, the scene bears an additional motif that relates to contemporaneous events: it carries the standards of four of the Roman legions that took part in quelling the 70* Danny Syon Jewish Revolt in Judea. Opinions differ as to the exact numbers appearing on the standards, but it is clear that the coin was minted in 66 CE to commemorate the arrival of the Roman general Vespasian in Akko, which formed his first base of operations. This period (53-54 to c. 268 CE) is certainly the most prolific in terms of the huge variety of types and subjects, some unique and others surprising, depicted on the coinage. In fact, the coins of this period are practically the only historical source to shed light on the physical reality of Roman Akko, as archaeology lags far behind. The coins of this period inform us about the temples, holy places, landmarks, and gods worshipped by the citizens, as well as about both mythological themes and objects of civic pride (Figs. 72, 87-91). Some of the more enigmatic types include a temple surrounded by a zodiac (Fig. 92), a human foot (Fig. 93), a sacred tree, and mysterious deities. All together, some 50 coin types are known today, and unknown varieties still turn up with some regularity; some were popular for many years during that period, and others ephemeral. The coins are not dated, but can be placed in the reign of the emperor whose portrait appears on the obverse. During some reigns, especially that of Elagabal (218-222 CE), the number of types increased dramatically. Akko was one of hundreds of cities in the Roman provinces that minted civic coins. In the mid 3rd century CE, however, inflation reached such proportions that local minting became too expensive and cities gradually stopped producing their own coins. The last city coins were struck under Gallienus (253-268 CE), and Akko has the distinction that it was the very last. Fig. 88: Bronze colonial issue under Septimius Severus (193-211 CE). Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Septimius Severus. The inscription is illegible. Reverse: Winged Thunderbolt. Above and below, COL PTOL (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) Fig. 87: Bronze colonial issue under Trajan (98-117 CE). Obverse: Laureate head of Trajan r. Around: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPT AVG GERM[∙∙∙ Reverse: Tyche, with turreted crown, sitting on a pile of rocks, holding a branch. At her feet, the river-god Belus reaches out. COL PTOL. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) Fig. 86: Bronze colonial issue under Nero (54-68 CE). Obverse: Laureate head of Nero r. In front star and crescent. Around: IMP NER[∙∙∙ Reverse: ‘Founder’ ploughing with a cow and an ox. Behind: the vexilla of four Roman legions (illegible). Around: DIVOS CLA[∙∙∙ Between the vexilla: COL CL. (Photo courtesy of Classical Numismatics Group Inc.) The Early Islamic Period No coins were minted in Akko during the Byzantine period. Following a ’dry period’ of about 450 years, a small number of bronze coins were minted in the city under the Umayyad dynasty about the year 700, when Akko was called Akka and considered of secondary importance in the Urdunn (Jordan) district. The coins are not dated, but the mint name ‫ عكا‬appears clearly (Fig. 94). Fig. 89: Bronze colonial issue for Iulia Maesa, sister-in-law of Septimius Severus (165-224 CE), minted between 218-222 CE. Obverse: Draped bust of Iulia Maesa r. Around: IVLIA MAESA AVGV (M in Maesa inverted). Reverse: Portable shrine containing a statue of Zeus Heliopolites. Around: COLO PTLOE. (Photo courtesy of LHS Numismatik) Danny Syon 71* Fig. 90: Bronze colonial issue for Aquilia Severa, wife of Elagabalus (minted c. 220-221 CE). Obverse: Draped bust of Aquilia Severa r. Around: IVL AQVILIA SEVERA AV. Reverse: A complex portable shrine consisting of a tetrastyle temple over a hexastyle structure. In the central arch a statue of Tyche to left, crowned by a figure of Nike on a column behind her; to left, statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa; to right, statue of Athena; below, hexastyle portico with a central arch occupied by a statue of Zeus and with other statues. The portico rests on a series of semi-circular arches. Probably unique. (Photo courtesy of LHS Numismatik) Fig. 91: Bronze colonial issue under Valerian (253-260 CE). Obverse: Laureate bust right, shoulder covered by round shield. Around: IMP CP LIC [VALERIANVS AVG]. Reverse: Hexastyle temple. Within central arch, Tyche to left, crowned by Nike; below, reclining river god Belus. Around: COL PTOL. (Photo courtesy Goldberg Coins) Fig. 92: Bronze colonial issue under Valerian (253-260 CE). Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian right. Around: [IMP CP] LIC VALERIANVS AVG. Reverse: Zodiac with Zeus-Heliopolites standing in central temple. On both sides of the temple: COL PTOL. (Photo courtesy Goldberg Coins) Fig. 93: Bronze colonial issue for Salonina, wife of Gallienus (minted c. 254-268 CE). Obverse: Bust of Salonina r. Around: CORNEL SA[LONINA AVG]. Reverse: Human foot, on top thunderbolt; at right, caduceus. Around: COL PTOL. (Photo courtesy of David Hendin) Fig. 94: Anonymous Umayyad bronze fals, c. 700 CE. Obverse: ‫( ال اله \ اال اهلل \ وحده‬There is no god except Allah alone). Reverse: In center: ‫( محمد \ رسول \ اهلل‬Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.) Around: ‫( بسماهلل ضرب هذا الفلس بعكا‬In the name of Allah, this fals was struck in ‘Akka). (Oriental Coin Cabinet of the FriedrichSchiller-University, Jena, Inv. No. OMJ-310-A06) Fig. 95: ‘Abbasid period cast bronze fals, issued by Ibrahim ibn Humrān, 816 CE. Obverse: In center: ‫.ال اله \اال اهلل وحده \ ال شريك له‬ Around: ‫( ضرب هذا الفلس بعكا سنة ماتنى‬Struck in ‘Akka, year 200) Reverse: In center: ‫ محمد \رسول \ اهلل‬Around: ‫مما امر به االمير ابرهيم‬ ‫( بن حمران‬By the authority of the Emir Ibrahim ibn Humrān). (Tübingen University Collection, Inv. No. AL2F5) Fig. 96: Fatimid gold dinar under Caliph al-Mustansir b'Illah, 1036 CE. Obverse: In center and around: religious passages from the Qoran. Reverse: In center: ‫معد \ عبد اهلل ووليه \ االمام ابو متيم \ املستنصر‬ ‫( باهلل \ عال‬the servant of god and his companions, the Imam abuTamim al-Mustansir b'Illah). Around: In the name of Allah, this dinar was struck at ‘Akka, year seven and eighty and four hundred. (Tübingen University Collection, Inv. No. CA9D2) Fig. 97: Crusader gold bezant, imitation of a Fatimid dinar of alAmir, 12th or 13th century. The inscriptions are mostly faulty or plain gibberish. (Oriental Coin Cabinet of the Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Inv. No. SB0174) 72* Danny Syon Minting under the Abbasids (750-c. 950 CE) was very brief. It apparently consisted of a single bronze emission under a local administrator who is otherwise unknown, Ibrahim ibn Humrān, in 816 CE (Fig. 95). Under the Fatimids (950-1099 CE), gold dinars Fig. 98: Crusader silver, imitation of an Ayyubid dirham, 1251 CE. Obverse: Cross in circle. Center: The Father and the Son. Around (partly illegible): His is the glory forever, Amen. Reverse: Center: and the Holy Ghost (In center, small Fleur de-lys). Around: One Divinity. His is the glory forever, Amen. (Photo courtesy of the IAA) (Fig. 96) and silver dirhams were minted in Akko under the Imam al-Mustansir (1036-1094 CE). The Crusader Period The last burst of activity in the mint of Akko came during the Crusader period. The Crusaders encountered in the Holy Land a monetary system that was unknown in Europe, and so they adapted to it by imitating Fatimid gold dinars (called bezants by the Crusaders and of a lower weight) of the imam al-Amir in Akko (Fig. 97) and Ayyubid silver dirhams, both of which were anachronistic by the time they were imitated. At Fig. 99: Crusader gold bezant with Christian legend in Arabic script, 1251-1258 CE. Obverse: Center: One God. Inner circle: + The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Outer circle (partly illegible): Struck in ‘Akka, in the year one thousand two hundred one and fifty of the incarnation of the Messiah. Reverse: Center: Cross. Around (begins in outer, continues in inner circle: We are glorified by the Cross of our Lord Jesus the Messiah from whom we receive our salvation and life. (Akko Municipal Museum Collection) first, the imitations were faithful to the original; then in 1250, Pope Innocent IV banned the use by Christians of the Moslem creed and date. In an ingenious move, the legends were replaced with Christian slogans and dates, still in Arabic, and crosses were added (Figs. 98-99). On some, as a result, the legends are illegible gibberish. Most of these imitations were struck in Akko, though on many the name of Damascus appears as the mint. Some scholars speculate that a very common billon denier of Aimery de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem (1163-1174), was minted posthumously in Akko in the 13th century. In fact, only a single issue of a bronze pougeoise minted from 1192-1197 carries the name of the city (Accon) in Latin letters (Fig. 100). One monetary problem that faced the Crusaders was the lack of small change. In compensation, large quantities of poorly made lead tokens without legends were minted, apparently by private initiative. Struck in a bewildering variety of types probably until the end of Crusader rule in 1291 CE, these were the very last ’coins’ to be minted in Akko. Fig. 100: Copper pougeoise of Henry of Champagne, struck c. 1192-1197 CE. Obverse: Cross patteé. Around: +COm‰S H‰NRICVS. Reverse: Lily. Around: +PVG‰S D'ACCON. (Tübingen University Collection, Inv. No. LI-117) Danny Syon 73*