Chapter 9: Coins from the 2006-2008 Excavations

Abstract

This chapter consists of a numismatic analysis of the coin finds at Ἁin el-Gedida, followed by a complete catalogue organized by room and stratigraphic unit. The coin finds at Ἁin el-Gedida are typical for the Dakhla Oasis, in that they are comprised almost entirely of low-value, late Roman bronzes, with many pieces too worn or corroded to be legible. With the exception of a few variants of minor numismatic interest (6, 27, and 151), their value is entirely archaeological. Beyond the immediate aim of helping to establish the absolute chronology of the site, the analysis below seeks to characterize the relationship of the coin finds at Ἁin el-Gedida to similar archaeological assemblages in Egypt with respect to the contemporary coin pool, circulation patterns, and patterns of coin use and loss.