ANTIPATRIS, JULIA MAESA AE
Sofaer 8 (same dies), Rosenberger 3, 18.64mm, 8.12 grams, Struck Circa. 218 - 224 C.E.
Obverse: ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΜΑΙϹΑ ϹΕΒ around draped bust of Julia Maesa to right
Reverse: River god Yarkon reclining left, reed cradled in left arm, extending right hand toward fish right before, water stream (the Yarkon River ?) with two fish below, M AVP ANT ΑΝΤΙΠΑΤΡΙϹ
A VERY RARE and important ancient Biblical city with few known coins, especially of this ruler! A recent comparable example sold at CNG for $660, see here.
Antipatris was built by Herod the Great in the name of his father Antipater at the site of Biblical Aphek. It was here that the apostle Paul rested when transferred from Jerusalem to Caesarea.
The city of Aphek is mentioned in the Bible Joshua 12:18 as one of the 31 Canaanite royal cities whose king was conquered and slain by Joshua. It is also mentioned in Samuel 4:1 as a staging ground where the Philistines gathered for battle against Israel and again in Samuel 29:1 where they assembled for the fateful battle on Mount Gilboa where King Saul was killed.
