ARABIA. Medaba. Elagabalus, 218-222. Diassarion (Bronze, 19 mm, 5.65 g, 12 h). ΑΥΤΟ ΚЄϹΑΡ (sic) AИTOИIИO (sic) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind; to right, star. Rev. ΜΗΔΑΒⲰΝ ΤΥΧΗ Turreted Tyche of Medaba standing facing, head to left, placing foot on river god (?) and holding small bust on her right hand and cornucopia over her left arm. Lindgren III, 1548. RPC VI online 9353. Spijkerman 10. Rare. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.


Medaba was conquered by Alexander Jannaeus from the Arabs and annexed to the Jewish Kingdom. It had a thriving Jewish community in the Mishna period and we know it was the seat of an important bishopric in the 5th century AD. Today, the city is best known for the spectacular mosaic depicting a map of the Holyland ornating the floor of its early Byzantine Basilica of Saint George, dedicated in 542.