Der punische Münzschatzfund von Bulla Regia

Abstract

During the excavations in 1973 at Bulla Regia a small earthenware jug was found in the «Maison de la nouvelle chasse» which brought to light one of the most important Punic coin hoards of the mid-third century BC. It is now being published for the first time. On the top of the treasure trove there were a golden ear-ring and three Carthaginian electrum stater coins (minted in 241 BC). The rest consisted of 127 Carthaginian coins made of billon: 11 double shekels and 116 single shekels. The coins were minted towards the end of the first Punic War and afterwards, and they were buried shortly after 235 BC. This could be related to the campaign of Carthage against the Numidians, for which Hamilkar Barkas, while staying in Hispania, had sent his son-in-law Hasdrubal.