Bostra is first mentioned in the documents of Thutmose III and Akhenaten (14th century BC). It was the first Nabatean city in the 2nd century BC, and became a Roman city when the Nabatean Kingdom was conquered by Cornelius Palma, a general of Trajan, in 106 AD.
Under the Roman Empire, the city was renamed Nova Trajana Bostra and was the residence of the Legio III Cyrenaica. It was made capital of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. It flourished and became a major metropolis at the juncture of several trade routes.
It became an important center for food production and during the reign of Emperor Philip I the Arab, and began to mint its own coins.
Under the Roman Empire, the city was renamed Nova Trajana Bostra and was the residence of the Legio III Cyrenaica. It was made capital of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. It flourished and became a major metropolis at the juncture of several trade routes.
It became an important center for food production and during the reign of Emperor Philip I the Arab, and began to mint its own coins.
Modern location: Busra al-Sham, Syria
(1)
Antoninus Pius
Obverse: laureate head right; ANTωN ϹEΒ
Reverse: camel right; BOCT
Diameter:
17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.2 g
No notes for this coin
RPC IV Online 6696 (temporary); Kindler, Bostra 5; Spijkerman 9; CNG e255, 268.
(2)
Philip II Junior
Obverse: radiate bust right from behind; MARC IVL PHILIPPOS CESAR
Reverse: wreath; COL METROPOLIS BOSTRA AKTI / A ΔOV / CAPIA
Diameter:
28 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 14.7 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 14.7 g
No notes for this coin
Sofaer 54; Kindler 46a; Spijkerman 60; Rosenberger 52
(3)
Trajan
Obverse: laureate bust right, draped shoulder; AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAK
Reverse: Arabia facing, holding branch and cinnamon sticks, camel halfleft; ∆HMAPX__EΞ IϚ YΠAT Ϛ
Diameter:
18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC II 142, Woytek 285b, RSC II 89, BMCRE III 297, SRCV II -
(4)
Trajan
_3(1).jpg)
Obverse: AYTOKP KAIC [NЄP TP]AINѠ APICTѠ CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAK, laureate and cuirassed bust left, with paludamentum, seen from behind
Reverse: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ YΠATO ς, camel walking left
Diameter:
19 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.78 g
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.78 g
No notes for this coin
RPC III 4080; SNG ANS 1158; Sydenham 205