Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 72 25 Jun 2020
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Judaea. Philip II Æ27 of Neapolis. 247-249 CE. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / COL SERG NЄAPOL, Mount Gerizim surmounted by temple complex; supported by eagle, standing facing, with head right and wings spread. RPC Online Unassigned ID 2352; Sofaer 213; Harl -. 14.90g, 27mm, 6h.
Near Very Fine. Extremely Rare; RPC Online cites only two examples.
Mount Gerizim forms the southern peak of the valley in which the modern city Nablus (Biblical Shechem) is situated, standing opposite Mount Ebal to the north. According to Samaritan tradition it was the location chosen for the holy temple, as opposed to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and the location of many notable events such as the sacrifice of his son Isaac by Abraham (Genesis 22:2). Deuteronomy (11:29) records Moses' direction to the Israelites in advance of their entry to the Promised Land, that "when the Lord your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal".
Under the Romans in the second century AD (perhaps during the reign of Hadrian), a temple to Zeus was erected on one of the peaks of Mount Gerizim, which is the subject of the present reverse type. The city of Neapolis, situated at the base of the mountain, produced several issues with the sanctuary as the focus of interest during this period, while the presence of the imperial eagle supporting the mountain, coupled with the figure of Marsyas, is symbolic of imperial favour towards this Eastern city.
Near Very Fine. Extremely Rare; RPC Online cites only two examples.
Mount Gerizim forms the southern peak of the valley in which the modern city Nablus (Biblical Shechem) is situated, standing opposite Mount Ebal to the north. According to Samaritan tradition it was the location chosen for the holy temple, as opposed to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and the location of many notable events such as the sacrifice of his son Isaac by Abraham (Genesis 22:2). Deuteronomy (11:29) records Moses' direction to the Israelites in advance of their entry to the Promised Land, that "when the Lord your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal".
Under the Romans in the second century AD (perhaps during the reign of Hadrian), a temple to Zeus was erected on one of the peaks of Mount Gerizim, which is the subject of the present reverse type. The city of Neapolis, situated at the base of the mountain, produced several issues with the sanctuary as the focus of interest during this period, while the presence of the imperial eagle supporting the mountain, coupled with the figure of Marsyas, is symbolic of imperial favour towards this Eastern city.