Tag Archive for: coins

A Rare Temple Mount Coin Featuring the Portrait of the Emperor Who Repealed the Harsh Decrees Against Jews After Tisha B’Av 135 CE

On the Ninth of Av it was decreed upon our ancestors that they would not enter the Land [of Israel]; and the Temple was destroyed the first time, and the second time; and Beitar was captured; and the city [of Jerusalem] was plowed. (Ta'anit…

Sukkot at the Temple Mount Sifting Project

This Sukkot holiday we will be raffling off (at no extra charge) among all those who make sifting reservations and share this post, two professionally produced replicas of an ancient Jewish coin from the end of the Second Temple period. This…
Silver half-shekel coin with tripe-pomegranate cluster motive
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Giving our Half-Shekel

It's that time of year for giving the traditional charity reminiscent of the half-shekel donation to the Temple. Here's a little calculation of how serious that seemingly simple donation actually was! And some ideas for how to make your own half-shekel donation meaningful.
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Adopt a Coin!

When ancient coins are found in archaeological digs, it is usually impossible to identify their design elements or inscriptions, due to the accumulation over time of corrosion or encrustation. Therefore, these coins must be sent to a restoration…

Find & Finder of the Month: A Three-Weeks Coin Found by Matanya Hacohen

Like the rest of the world, we are still struggling with realities imposed on us by COVID-19, but we have been able to resume semi-normal activities at the sifting site, and together with them we are happy to resume our Find of the Month posts! Our…

Tag Archive for: coins

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5 Para of Mehmed V (1911/12 CE)

A Copper-Nickel 5 Para coin of Mehmed V Mehmed V was made sultan in 1909, after the deposition of his brother, Abdul Hamid II, his reign saw the death throes of the Ottoman Empire, as more and more of its former glory was taken up by world powers. In a final disastrous move, Mehmed joined in WWI, though he passed away before seeing the defeat of his chosen side. Obverse: Mehmed V’s Tughra (official monograph) surrounded by stars, to right: رشاد (reshad) beneath : سنة ٢ (year 2) Reverse: Center : ٥ باره Legend around: ضرب في دولت عثمانيه قسطنطينية In exergue: ١٣٢٧ (Ottoman State, Struck in Constantinople, 5 Para, 1327). Date: 1911/191
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Napoleonic 5 Francs (1858 CE)

A gold 5 Francs coin of Napoleon III, minted in Paris. Napoleon III, nephew of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte, declared himself emperor in the year 1851. At a time of a great depreciation of Ottoman currency, foreign coins became more and more preeminent in Jerusalem’s markets, and many 19th century works quote prices in gold “Napoleons”. This particular coin, after removal from circulation, was perforated and incorporated into a piece of jewelry. Obverse: Bearded head of Napoleon, surrounded by legend: “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR”. The surname of the chief engraver of the Paris mint, Albert Désiré Barre, is seen at the bottom. Reverse: “5 FRANCS 1858” within wreath, surrounded by legend: “EMPIRE FRANÇAIS” Date: 1858
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Silver Akçe of Bayezid II (1481–1512 CE)

A silver Akçe of Bayezid II, minted in Bursa (Turkey). Bayezid II, famous for opening the gates of his empire to the Jews expelled from Spain and who taunted Ferdinand and Isabella for impoverishing their empire only to enrich his, also strengthened the Ottoman army by introducing firearms and building a sizable navy, enabling his successor to conquer the Mamluk sultanate, and the Temple Mount with it. Obverse: سلطان بازيد \ بن محمد حان\ عز نصرة (Sultan Bayezid ibn Han Muhammad) Reverse: حلد ملكه\ برو سه\ ٨٨٦ Date: 1481–1512
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Silver Nisf of Qaitbay (1468–1496 CE)

A silver Nisf of Al-Ashraf Qai’tbāy Abū al-Nasr, remembered for his construction project throughout the Sultanate, including the Qai’tbāy Fountain and Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya on the Temple Mount; minted in Aleppo. Obverse: center — قا يتباى; surrounding — السلطان الملك الاشرف ابو النصر (Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr) Reverse: لا اله الا \ الله محمد \ رسول الله (There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) Date: 1468–1496
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Counterfeit Jaqmaq Dinar (1438–53 CE)

A counterfeit Zāhiri dinar of the Bujri Mamluk Sultan Al-Zāhir Jaqmaq Abū Sa‛īd, minted in Cairo. While the original would have been solid gold, this coin is gold-plated copper. Obverse: بالقاهرة \ السلطان الملك الظاهر \ ابو سعيد جقمق عز نصره\ [—] (In Cairo \ Sultan Al-apparent King \ Abu Saeed Jagmaq Ezz Nasr) Reverse: ارسله \ لااله الاالله \محمد رسول الله \ بالهدى Date: 1438–1453
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Crusader Lead Token (12–14th Century)

Tokens such as these were used in 12th–13th centuries Europe as a cheap substitute for bronze, silver, and gold, at a time when growing commerce created an ever rising need for coins. Muslims of the time had no use for such a token, ergo — this token was probably dropped by a member of the Crusader state, perhaps one of the Knights Templar who made their home in the Temple Mount itself.
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Denier of Baldwin III (1160 CE)

A billon (silver alloy) Denier of Baldwin III, minted in Jerusalem, the capital of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. Obverse: A cross surrounded by the Latin legend “BALDVINVS REX” Reverse: The Jerusalem Citadel (Tower of David), surrounded by the Latin legend “DE IERUSALEM”