Coins struck at Gaza
1 catalogued coin and note attributed to Gaza, with weights, legends, dates and Wikimedia-sourced images across Achaemenid Empire.
In short
Gaza was the southernmost mint of Achaemenid Philistia and a key caravan terminus on the incense route, striking small silver that mixes Greek, Egyptian and Levantine imagery. Gaza is a mint of the Iranian world represented in the Persian Treasury catalogue by 1 coin and note struck between 333 BCE – 450 CE. Its output here covers Silver in the Obol denominations, issued under Local Achaemenid governors.
- Catalogued
- 1
- Eras
- 1
- Metals
- 1
- Denominations
- 1
Key facts
| Catalogued pieces | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date range | 333 BCE – 450 CE |
| Eras represented | Achaemenid Empire |
| Metals | Silver |
| Denominations | Obol |
| Issuers | Local Achaemenid governors |
| Region | Southern Philistia |
| Economic role | Incense-route caravan terminus |
| Coinage | Athenian-imitative silver fractions |
| Series ends | Alexander's siege, 332 BCE |
A caravan city under Persia
Gaza controlled the point where the Arabian incense routes met the Mediterranean, making it wealthy and administratively significant to the Persian satrapy of Across-the-River.
Its coinage imitates Athenian tetradrachm types at fractional weights, with the mint's own letters and locally invented deities added to the design.
Alexander's siege
Gaza held out against Alexander for two months in 332 BCE, the last Persian-held position on the road to Egypt. Its independent coinage ends with the conquest.
Surviving pieces are scarce and heavily studied; a legible mint letter is the difference between a generic Philistian fraction and an attributable Gaza coin.
Achaemenid Empire · 550 – 330 BCE
Era overview →Frequently asked about Gaza
- Why did Gaza strike Athenian-style coins?
- The Athenian owl was the trusted international trade currency of the eastern Mediterranean, so local mints imitated it to make their fractions instantly acceptable.
- When did Gaza's Persian-era coinage end?
- With Alexander's capture of the city in 332 BCE after a two-month siege.
- What coins were struck at Gaza?
- Gaza is a mint of the Iranian world represented in the Persian Treasury catalogue by 1 coin and note struck between 333 BCE – 450 CE. Its output here covers Silver in the Obol denominations, issued under Local Achaemenid governors.
- How many Gaza pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
- 1 item, dated 333 BCE – 450 CE, spread across 1 era: Achaemenid Empire.
- Which metals were used for Gaza coinage?
- Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
- Which denominations are associated with Gaza?
- Obol. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.