#samifortune

This silver Himyerite coin was minted in Southern Arabic in Arabia Felix (Southern Saudi and ancient Yemen between 50A.D and 100A.D it is attributed to one of several kings all called Karib'il Watar Yehun'im at their capital Raidan. Notice the fascinating S.Arabian script with the unusual fusion of Greek and Semitic culture... notice as well the wreath of flowers worn as a crown by the king. This influence can still be seen today by the 'flower people,' of Southern Arabia who wear flowers in their hair to perfume themselves and to adorn their heads with colour....The kings who minted these coins ruled shortly after Rome sent general Alius Gallus who set out from Alexandria with two legions to conquer Southern Arabia and control the lucrative frankincense trade. The Southern Arabian kingdoms were some of the richest in the ancient world because of their control and tax of the trade coming from Southern Oman. The invasion failed dramatically after several spectacular sieges, when the army was according to Strabo, mislead by a local guide called Syllaeus who brought them into the desert where they became lost and many died of thirst... #southernarabia #arabia #abha #jizan #yemen #coin #saudiarabia #numismatics #silver #flowermen #frankincense #trade #HIMYARITES #Sabeans

‘A Youth Shisha Break in the South African Veldt,’ (2014), Ruedepan, Kimberley, South Africa, By Sami Fortune Tell me what do you see?

Silver Dinarius of the mid third century emperor Severus Alexander (222-235) the last emperor of the Severan dynasty he reformed the empires justice system and managed to halt the advancing Sassanians. However he lost the support of the army when he tried to negotiate with the advancing Germanic tribes...from then on the army plotted his assassination. INTERESTINGLY the emperor tried to build a temple to Jesus but was persuaded from doing so by his pagan advisors and was religiously tolerant building a synagogue in Rome and even donating a Torah which became known as a Severan scroll Severus was eventually assassinated along with his mother by the troops of the XXII legion in what is now Metz while meeting with his generals... #coin #ancientrome #severusalexander #dinarius #silver #rome #legion #thefortunecollection #samifortune #money

Kupang of Queen Taj al-'Alam Safiat al-din Shah minted at some point between 1641-1675....this beautiful coin from the edge of the 17th century Islamic world was minted by one of the most incredible female rulers of Ache On the Island of Sumatra in Indonesia...She was the fist in succession of four powerful queens...her name meaning world crown purity of faith was taken upon her accession and her soft tolerant rule is credited to preserving the independence of the Island kingdom from the colonisation of European powers... Examples have been found through Europe attesting to the importance of trade and the spices which originated in this region...this coin comes from an old Spanish collection but was mistakenly thought to be an old Moorish coin struck from silver before my identification... #queen #coin #gold #trade #spices #islamic #islamichistory #kupang #mas #coin #samifortune #fortunecollection

Behind the Grooms cousin places his neck at almost 45 degrees to pear over the shoulders of the guests to see the important event. To his right however a younger boy another cousin looks in the same direction. Although still interested His folded arms symbolize he is prepared for a long wait... #samifortune  #capemalay #bokaap #southafrica #capetown #islam #wedding #portrait

Kimberley is known for its Diamonds but not so much for it flamingoes. here 37,000 flamingoes the largest gathering of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere meet just outside the city at the water pan or flay. Their survival is now threatened by development plans coupled with the city’s sewage facilities. Even the tourist entrance is now blocked up which means visitors are forced to risk crossing the countries main railway highway to get a glimpse. Luckly the train is quite slow moving but do please be aware.

“Curtains of destruction, the Phenix of London,” (2014), London, U.K, By Sami Fortune Hidden for commercial purposes or to protect the character of the local area a heavy demolition truck continues its business as the stage hands of construction open the curtains onto the theatre of London’s building business. With prices rising development is at an all time high but unfortunately it has its historical costs. his building was constructed in the former historic district of Holborn which contained many of London’s Medieval buildings until the late 19th and early 20th centuries in order to make room for better traffic flow. However just behind this in a narrow ally one can find the remains of a 17th century home and it is thought London’s only surviving Roman bath.

“ A scrap of meat at Feeding time,” (2014), Johannesburg, South Africa, by Sami Fortune Feeding time at a Lion and Cheetah park just outside Johannesburg. The form of the Cheetah simulates the attack position the animal might make when chasing live pray abliet on a march larger scale than this small piece of meat.