Nabataean Kingdom (Builders of Petra), Bronze Coin - 95 BCE to 106 CE - Middle East

The Nabataean Kingdom was an ancient state located between the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. The state was found by a nomadic Bedouin Arab tribe who frequently moved their herds to find pasture and water. Because of this, the precise geographical origin of the Nabataean people remains unclear. The kingdom’s best known legacy is Petra, an archaeological site in modern day Jordan that served as the state’s capital. The ancient city is renowned for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Its proximity to incense trade routes made it a major commercial hub in antiquity, allowing the Nabataean people to amass considerable wealth. As such, Nabataean coinage survives in large numbers today. Aretas III was the first king who’s portrait was featured on coins, beginning around the year 87 BCE. Though the kingdom did issue silver coinage, the most common form of currency were small bronze coins. These coins were similar in appearance to Judean prutot, especially since bot