Southland Coins & Collectibles Inc.
4670 Lake Street
Ancient Coins and Artifacts
New! Cuneiform Tablet - 19th-16th Century B.C. - $2,250.00 each
This is a buff-fired clay account tablet, consisting of quantities of grain with the names of the patrons on both sides. 16/11 lines of text, measuring 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches.
Cuneiform was first developed around 3200 B.C. by Sumerian scribes in the ancient city-state of Uruk (present day Iraq). It was not a language but a system of writing used to inscribe information in a variety of languages. The word cuneiform is derived from the Latin word cuneus, which means wedge; cuneiform literally means “wedge shaped.” The wedge-shaped letters were pressed into a clay tablet using a stylus usually made of reed. The wet clay was then baked or left to dry. Different combinations of these marks represented syllables, which could in turn be put together to form words. Cuneiform as a robust writing tradition endured 3,000 years. Archaeologists have discovered vast libraries of cuneiform tablets in archaeological sites across the Near and Middle East. The tablets from these libraries have taught archaeologists a great deal about the cultures of the ancient Middle Eastern region.
Cuneiform was first developed around 3200 B.C. by Sumerian scribes in the ancient city-state of Uruk (present day Iraq). It was not a language but a system of writing used to inscribe information in a variety of languages. The word cuneiform is derived from the Latin word cuneus, which means wedge; cuneiform literally means “wedge shaped.” The wedge-shaped letters were pressed into a clay tablet using a stylus usually made of reed. The wet clay was then baked or left to dry. Different combinations of these marks represented syllables, which could in turn be put together to form words. Cuneiform as a robust writing tradition endured 3,000 years. Archaeologists have discovered vast libraries of cuneiform tablets in archaeological sites across the Near and Middle East. The tablets from these libraries have taught archaeologists a great deal about the cultures of the ancient Middle Eastern region.
New! Roman Carthaginian Oil Lamp - 5th Century A.D. - $695.00
This beautiful, ancient terra cotta oil lamp is decorated with a fish in the center, a symbol popular in Christianity, surrounded by ornate decorations along the rim.
The oil lamp was in use in the ancient world for thousands of years and saw continued and heavy use during the Roman period. Varieties ranged from ornately decorated bronze ones to more simple ones. They could be carried by hand or placed in proper locations to light the interior of a house. Many were also used at alters and temples. Large numbers of lamps with the typical “North African” style, as this one, were made in workshops along the Mediterranean coast of Africa in the 5th Century A.D. Carthage, Tunisia, was probably the center of the trade, however, Alexandria, Egypt, may also have been a major production center in North Africa.
The lamp was made by putting two molded pieces of clay together and then letting it harden. Holes were added so that the lamp could be filled with oil and the wick placed inside. The lamp would then be fired for up to two days until it was ready for use. To light the lamp, a long wick was put inside the hole at the tip of the lamp. The interior was filled with oil, and the wick would absorb the oil. The wick was then lit, similar to lighting a candle. The oil that was usually used in oil lamps was olive oil as it was widely available in the Mediterranean world.
Carthage (modern Tunis) was an important Mediterranean trading port just 140 miles from Sicily and easily accessible by sea. Evolving from a Phoenician colony, it became a center of great affluence. Carthage was a major mercantile empire and a military rival to the Roman Republic until 146 B.C. when it was defeated by the Romans who occupied Tunisia for most of the next 800 years. The Romans introduced Christianity and left architectural legacies like the Amphitheatre of El Jem.
The oil lamp was in use in the ancient world for thousands of years and saw continued and heavy use during the Roman period. Varieties ranged from ornately decorated bronze ones to more simple ones. They could be carried by hand or placed in proper locations to light the interior of a house. Many were also used at alters and temples. Large numbers of lamps with the typical “North African” style, as this one, were made in workshops along the Mediterranean coast of Africa in the 5th Century A.D. Carthage, Tunisia, was probably the center of the trade, however, Alexandria, Egypt, may also have been a major production center in North Africa.
The lamp was made by putting two molded pieces of clay together and then letting it harden. Holes were added so that the lamp could be filled with oil and the wick placed inside. The lamp would then be fired for up to two days until it was ready for use. To light the lamp, a long wick was put inside the hole at the tip of the lamp. The interior was filled with oil, and the wick would absorb the oil. The wick was then lit, similar to lighting a candle. The oil that was usually used in oil lamps was olive oil as it was widely available in the Mediterranean world.
Carthage (modern Tunis) was an important Mediterranean trading port just 140 miles from Sicily and easily accessible by sea. Evolving from a Phoenician colony, it became a center of great affluence. Carthage was a major mercantile empire and a military rival to the Roman Republic until 146 B.C. when it was defeated by the Romans who occupied Tunisia for most of the next 800 years. The Romans introduced Christianity and left architectural legacies like the Amphitheatre of El Jem.
Holy Land Oil Lamps - $125.00 each
We have a wide variety of beautiful terra cotta oil lamps from the Holy Land, circa 100-400 AD. With the purchase of an oil lamp, you will also receive an ancient coin for free.
Silver Tetradrachm, Attica, Athens - XF-AU - $1,195.00 each
These beautiful tetradrachm coins were minted between 440-404 B.C. The obverse features the ancient Greek goddess Athena, often associated with wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. Her major symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and gorgoneion (an amulet used by Athena as a protective pendant).
The reverse features one of Athena's symbols, an owl, along with olive spray and the moon. Each coin is certified authentic by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and are in Choice AU condition.
Click on the image to see a larger representation of each coin.
The reverse features one of Athena's symbols, an owl, along with olive spray and the moon. Each coin is certified authentic by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and are in Choice AU condition.
Click on the image to see a larger representation of each coin.
Byzantine Reliquary Crosses - 800-1200 A.D. - $250.00 each
Each cross is made of two crosses hinged at the bottom, which allowed access to a hollow space meant to hold a relic. The large numbers of surviving copper-alloy reliquary crosses suggest that they were not used solely for relics of the True Cross or other primary relics, such as the bone of a saint. Instead, they likely contained secondary relics, for instance, a piece of earth from a holy site or a piece of fabric made holy throught contact with the body of a saint.
Click on the image to see a larger representation of each cross.
Click on the image to see a larger representation of each cross.
Ancient Roman Nail and Widow's Mite Set - $55.00 each
These nails were created and used by the Roman Empire within 50 years of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They were discovered in 1960 and were part of a Roman fortress in Northern Scotland. After the Romans stripped the fortress in 87 AD, they buried the nails so that their enemies could not find them and use them to make swords.
The Pruta or "Widow’s Mite" was the smallest of the bronze coins in Jewish currency. These coins are referred to in the New Testament in Mark 12:41-44, “And He sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they are casting into the treasury: for they did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
The coins were issued during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (Jannai/Yannai)the second Hasmonean king of Judaea from 103 to 76 BC. A son of John Hyrcanus, he inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus I, and married his brother's widow, Queen Salome Alexandra. From his conquests to expand the kingdom to a bloody civil war, Alexander's reign has been generalized as cruel and oppressive with never ending conflict. The set comes with a certificate of authenticity in an attractive display case and will be a beautiful addition to your historical collection!
The Pruta or "Widow’s Mite" was the smallest of the bronze coins in Jewish currency. These coins are referred to in the New Testament in Mark 12:41-44, “And He sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they are casting into the treasury: for they did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
The coins were issued during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (Jannai/Yannai)the second Hasmonean king of Judaea from 103 to 76 BC. A son of John Hyrcanus, he inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus I, and married his brother's widow, Queen Salome Alexandra. From his conquests to expand the kingdom to a bloody civil war, Alexander's reign has been generalized as cruel and oppressive with never ending conflict. The set comes with a certificate of authenticity in an attractive display case and will be a beautiful addition to your historical collection!
Byzantine Bronze Christ Portrait Coins - 800-1200 AD - $49.00 each
These Byzantine era coins (known as folles) were
some of the first bronze coins issued to depict Christ.
some of the first bronze coins issued to depict Christ.
Widow's Mite (Pruta) - 103-76 BC - $24.95 each
The Pruta or "Widow’s Mite" was the smallest of the bronze
coins in Jewish currency. These coins are referred to in the
New Testament in Mark 12:41-44.
coins in Jewish currency. These coins are referred to in the
New Testament in Mark 12:41-44.