Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV and Phasael, 5 - 4 BC. AE13.8mm 2.18gm Petra, Scarce gF

Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV and Phasael, 5 - 4 BC. AE13.8mm 2.18gm Petra, Scarce gF

Obv: laureate head of Aretas right, Nabataean het (Aretas) left, ayin right;

Rev: two crossed and filleted cornucopias, Nabataean peh sade monogram (Phasael, Aretas' son) in center.

Ref: Al-Qatanani 178; Barkay CN 118b; Meshorer Nabataean 64; Huth 82; BMC Arabia p. 10, 35; SNG ANS 6

***Possibly struck in the year of Christ's birth! Jesus was born sometime between 6 BC and 4 BC Matthew describes King Herod as the ruler during the time of the Nativity, and Herod died in 4 BC Later, in order to kill Jesus and eliminate him as a rival king, Herod ordered the 'Massacre of the Innocents' - the killing of all male children in Bethlehem aged two years and under. This means that Jesus may have been up to two years old already by that time, and this also sets the Nativity between 6 and 4 BC. This type was issued in the names of Aretas IV and his son, Phasael, 5 - 4 BC.***

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Sku# 1672