Gold (hieroglyph)


The Egyptian hieroglyph representing gold, phonetic value nb, is important due to its use in the Horus-of-Gold name, one of the Fivefold Titulary names of the Egyptian pharaoh.
In its determinative usage, it identifies any precious metal,
and as an ideogram in "gold" specifically.
The hieroglyph represents a large gold and pearl necklace. Old Kingdom scenes show dwarfs metalworking the gold, and "stringing the pearls of gold".

Variant forms

Three variants of the gold hieroglyph are ligatured with another hieroglyph:
S14- Gold and mace for "silver."

S13 Egyptian language nbi, for "gild", or "gilt."

S14A Gold and was scepter-, for "electrum", dj'm.

In the 198 BC Rosetta Stone the silver ligature is used three times, lines N19-, R2, and R4. "Hedj", silver is often paired with grains as in line R2, : ".... many of silver and grain gave them, his Majesty to the ground." In line R4, for renewing the shrines to God Hapy he gave: ".... Golds,, silver, grains large quantities, and things of all kinds however many they were for the temple of dwelling of Apis- the living, and decorated ....."

Usage

Horus-of-Gold name

One of the older uses of the gold hieroglyph is for the Horus-of-Gold, G8 name. Also known as the Golden Horus Name, this form of the pharaoh's name typically featured the image of a Horus falcon perched above /or beside the hieroglyph for gold.

The meaning of this particular title has been disputed. One belief is that it represents the triumph of Horus over his uncle Seth, as the symbol for gold can be taken to mean that Horus was "superior to his foes". Gold also was strongly associated in the ancient Egyptian mind with eternity, so this may have been intended to convey the pharaoh's eternal Horus name.
Similar to the Fivefold Titulary Nebty name, this particular name typically was not framed by a cartouche or serekh. It always begins with the depiction of the horus falcon perched above a representation of the sun-.N5

The combination of the Horus falcon and the gold hieroglyph is frequently found on Ancient Egyptian pectorals.

Gold

In the Old Egyptian Palermo Stone inscription,
the hieroglyph is used in the phrases "first counting of gold" and "collar of gold".
One spelling of the word "gold", nbw, in the Egyptian language, uses the melted nugget determinative, N33B, and the plural strokes. A similar word nbi, nebi, "to cast metal" uses the foot hieroglyph and basket, D58, V30, hieroglyphs.
However the determinative is not Gardiner Sign Listed; it is a "kneeling man- blowing air into kiln-fire, with long tube".

Late Period coinage

One of the few coins minted for ancient Egypt is the gold stater, issued during the 30th Dynasty. The reverse of the gold stater shows a horse reared up on its hind legs. The obverse has the two hieroglyphs for nfr and nb: "Perfect gold", or a common-era term: 'Fine'-gold,. The reverse, horse iconography is referenced because of the "beauty", and uniqueness of the horse species.