Catharine C. Lorber
An Independent Voice in Numismatic Scholarship
Catharine C. (‘Cathy’) Lorber is among the world's most renowned numismatists specializing in ancient Greek and Hellenistic coinage. For more than four decades, she has devoted herself to the study of ancient coins, and her publications have had a lasting impact across numerous areas of research. Her work is internationally regarded as a leading reference for the coinages of the Seleucids, Ptolemies, and ancient Judaea. What particularly distinguishes Ms. Lorber is the independence of her scholarly judgment. As an independent scholar, she combines decades of research experience with extensive knowledge of international collections, publication projects, and the coin market. Her methodological precision, editorial experience, and the international recognition of her work make her one of the most respected voices in numismatic scholarship.
Among her most important contributions are her major role in the standard reference Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue and the multi-volume Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire. She is currently working with Arthur Houghton and Oliver D. Hoover on a revised second edition of Seleucid Coins, incorporating new material and research findings that have emerged since the original publication. Together with Dr. Haim Gitler and Jean-Philippe Fontanille, she also published The Yehud Coinage, the foundational study of the earliest coinage of ancient Judaea. Her research combines numismatic precision with historical understanding, providing a reliable foundation for interpreting important coins and collections.
‘Independence Builds Trust in Scholarship.’
Within the Leu Judaica Department, Ms. Lorber brings this independent scholarly perspective to bear on selected work. Her experience supports the meticulous documentation, historical interpretation, and scholarly publication of important collections. Particularly in the case of exceptional private collections, informed and critically balanced judgment is invaluable – both for the assessment of individual objects and for their long-term significance within international research.
With her exceptional research experience, editorial expertise, and international reputation, Ms. Lorber strengthens the Leu Judaica Department as a center of scholarly expertise. Together with leading figures from museums, archaeology, and private collecting, she helps ensure that numismatic evidence of Jewish history is not only preserved, but researched, published, and integrated into international scholarship at the highest academic level.
