Yemen-Himyarites No Date (c.100-120 AD) 1/2 denarius

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from the Ma’adi Collection
from the Ma’adi Collection

The Himyarite Kingdom was dominant in the area of present-day Yemen from 100 BCE until about 500 CE. The main source of wealth in the region was the production of frankincense and myrrh. This they traded, initially through intermediaries like the Nabataean Kingdom, to the Roman Empire. The first coins from this region, struck by the Sabaeans and Qatabanians, were imitations of the ‘Athenian owl’ drachms. By the time the Himyarites came to power, the coins showed portraits of local rulers and exhibited Sabaic script. The Himyarite Kingdom was toppled by the Ethiopian Kingdom of Axum in about 500 CE, which in turn was vanquished by the expanding Islamic empire after 622 CE.

The specimen shown is a silver half 'denarius' from Amdan Bayyin Yanaf. The obverse shows a portrait (which does not vary a great deal through the centuries), and the reverse shows the ruler's name in Sabaic script.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.20g, silver.

Catalog reference: like Meshorer 1574-1594.

Source:

  • Huth, Martin, and Alfen, Peter G. Coinage of the Caravan Kingdoms - Studies in the Monetization of Ancient Arabia. New York, 2010. The American Numismatic Society.
  • Various. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum - Part VI Palestine-South Arabia. New York, 1981. The American Numismatic Society.

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