CoinsandtheBible

CharlesCalkins (withmanythankstoJill) Kings/Prefects/Procurators Kings/Prefects/Procurators

• CalledprefectsfromAD6– 44,called procuratorsfromAD44on • RomancivicofficialofJudea • Notallissuedcoinage • Coinageissuedinthenameofthe emperor,notintheirownname HerodArchelaus (4BC– AD6)

• Lepton • Obverse: – HPOY(ofHerod) – Bunchofgrapesona vinewithsmallleafon left • Hendin 505 HerodArchelaus (4BC– AD6)

• Reverse: – Tallhelmetwithcrest andcheekstraps, viewedfromfront, caduceusbelowleft, belowEΘNAPXOY Coponius (AD6– 9)

• Lepton • LΛθ (Λ=30,θ=9:year 39of,AD8 9) • Obverse: – Palmtreewithtwo bunchesoffruit • Hendin 635 • Procuratorunder Augustus Coponius (AD6– 9)

• Reverse: – KAICAPOC(of ) – Earofbarley MarcusAmbibulus (AD9– 12)

• Lepton • LM(M=40:year40of Augustus,AD10) • Obverse: – Eightbranchedpalm treebearingtwo bunchesofdates MarcusAmbibulus (AD9– 12)

• Reverse: – KAICAPOC(of Caesar) – Earofbarley Valerius Gratus (AD15– 26)

• Prutah •L ( =5:year5of ,AD18) • Obverse: – IOYΛIA(JuliaLivia, motherofTiberius) – Palmbranch Valerius Gratus (AD15– 26)

• Reverse: – TIBKAICAP(Tiberius Caesar) – Wreath PontiusPilate(AD26– 36)

Mat27:22Pilatesaith untothem,What shallIdothenwithJesuswhichiscalled Christ? They allsayuntohim,Lethimbe crucified. PontiusPilate(AD26– 36)

• Prutah • LIZ,Zretrograde(AD 29or30) • MintedinJerusalem • Obverse: – Datewithinwreath PontiusPilate(AD26– 36)

• Reverse: – IOYΛIAKAICAPOC – Lituus (instrument usedbyaugursto interpretwillofthe gods) PontiusPilate(AD26– 36)

• Prutah • MintedinJerusalem • Obverse: – IOYΛIAKAICAPOC – Threeboundearsof barley,theoutertwo earsdroop • Hendin 648 PontiusPilate(AD26– 36)

• Reverse: – TIBEPIOYKAICAPOC (ofTiberiusCaesar) – Simpulum (libation ladle– priestcantaste andpourwineoveran animalforsacrifice, soothsayercan examineentrails) KingAgrippaI(AD37– 44)

Act12:1NowaboutthattimeHerodthe kingstretchedforth his handstovex certainofthechurch. Act12:221… KilledJames,imprisoned Peter(whoescaped)… Act12:22Andthepeoplegaveashout, saying, It is thevoiceofagod,andnotof aman. KingAgrippaI(AD37– 44)

• Prutah •L ( =6:AD4142) • Obverse: – Threeearsofbarley growingbetweentwo leaves KingAgrippaI(AD37– 44)

• Obverse: – AΓRIΠABACIΛEWC (AgrippaKing) – Umbrellalikecanopy withfringes

• GrandsonofHerod theGreat Antoninus Felix(AD52– 59)

• Act23:24Andprovide them beasts,that theymaysetPaulon,andbring him safe untoFelixthegovernor. Antoninus Felix(AD52– 59)

• Act24:24Andaftercertaindays,when FelixcamewithhiswifeDrusilla,which wasaJewess,hesentforPaul,andheard himconcerningthefaithinChrist. • Act24:25Andashereasonedof righteousness,temperance,andjudgment tocome,Felixtrembled,andanswered, Gothywayforthistime;whenIhavea convenientseason,Iwillcallforthee. Antoninus Felix(AD52– 59)

• Prutah • LI (I=10,=4:year 14of,AD 54) • Obverse: – TIKΛAVIOC KAICAPΓEPM (TiberiusClaudius CaesarGermanicus) – Twocrossedpalm branches • Hendin 651 Antoninus Felix(AD52– 59)

• Reverse: – IOY/AIAAΓ /PIΠIΠI/ NA(JuliaAgrippina, wifeofClaudius) – Wreathtiedatbottom withanX Porcius Festus(AD59– 62)

Act24:27ButaftertwoyearsPorcius FestuscameintoFelix'room:andFelix, willingtoshew theJewsapleasure,left Paulbound. … Act25:9ButFestus,willingtodotheJews apleasure,answeredPaul,andsaid,Wilt thougouptoJerusalem,andtherebe judgedofthesethingsbeforeme? Porcius Festus(AD59– 62)

Act25:10ThensaidPaul,Istandat Caesar'sjudgmentseat,whereIoughtto bejudged:totheJewshaveIdoneno wrong,asthouverywellknowest. Act25:11ForifIbeanoffender,orhave committedanythingworthyofdeath,I refusenottodie:butiftherebenoneof thesethingswhereoftheseaccuseme,no manmaydelivermeuntothem.Iappeal untoCaesar. Porcius Festus(AD59– 62)

Act25:12ThenFestus,whenhehad conferredwiththecouncil,answered,Hast thouappealeduntoCaesar?untoCaesar shalt thougo. Porcius Festus(AD59– 62)

• Prutah • Obverse: – NEP/WNO/C – Legendinawreath tiedatbottomwithan X Porcius Festus(AD59– 62)

• Reverse: – KAICAPO – Palmbranch JewishWar JewishWar

• Firstofthreemajorrebellionsagainst RomebyJewsofJudea • BeganAD66inCaesarea – Greekssacrificingbirdsinfrontofa synagogue,Romangarrisondidnotintercede • madegeneral,sent 60,000troops • AD68northernrebellioncrushed,AD70 VespasianbreacheswallsofJerusalem JewishWar

• Prutah • Year2,AD6768 • Obverse: – Inscription“yeartwo” – Amphorawithbroad rimandtwohandles • Hendin 661

• Coins(shekels)to year5 JewishWar

• Reverse: – Inscription"the freedomofZion" – Vineleafonsmall branch JudeaCapta

• Denarius • Rome,AD6970 (Vespasian) • Obverse: – IMPCAESAR VESPASIANVSAVG – Laureateheadright JudeaCapta

• Reverse: – Judea,asamourning captive,seatedright onthegroundatthe footofatrophy – IVDAEAinexergue SizeComparison Diana Diana

Act19:27Sothatnotonlythisourcraftisin dangertobesetatnought;butalsothat thetempleofthegreatgoddessDiana shouldbedespised,andhermagnificence shouldbedestroyed,whomallAsiaand theworldworshippeth. Act19:28Andwhentheyheard these sayings ,theywerefullofwrath,andcried out,saying,Great is Diana(Αρτεις – Artemis)oftheEphesians. Diana

• Denarius • L.Hostilius Saserna, 48BC • Obverse: – HeadoffemaleGallic captiveright,carnyx (Celticwind instrument)behind Diana

• Reverse: – LHOSTILIVS SASERNA – CultstatueofDiana (Roman,Greek Artemis– goddessof thehuntandthe moon)facing,with stagandspear • Sear419 Diana

•Æ • AD161180 (Faustina,Jr) • Lydia/Tabala (now nearBergas, Canakkale,Turkey– nearTroy) • Obverse: – CEBACΦAYCTEINA – Drapedbustright Diana

• Reverse: – TABAΛEN – CultstatueofDianaat Ephesos (Artemis Ephesia)wearing kalathos,withsupports • SNGCopenhagen 565

• Tabala isnorthof Ephesus,alongthe Aegeancoast Diana Diana

• Denarius • Rome,AD214(Julia Domna) • Obverse: – IVLIAPIAFELIXAVG – Drapedbustright • Sear7100 Diana

• Reverse: – DIANALVCIFERA – Dianastandingleft, holdingflamingtorch withbothhands TenPersecutions Emperors

Nero – AD 67 GordianIII

Galba PhiliptheArab ClaudiusIIGothicus

Otho – – AD AD 192 249 – AD 274

Vespasian

Titus Florian

Domitian – AD 81 Volusian

Nerva Aemilian

Trajan – AD 108 AlexanderSeverus I – AD 257 – AD 235 GordianI Carausius

Marcus Aurelius – AD GordianII Postumous Allectus 162 Marius – AD 303

Commodus First– Nero(AD67)

• As • Rome,AD65 – Paul • Obverse: – NEROCAESARAVG GERMIMP – Laureateheadright • Sear1974 First– Nero(AD67)

• Reverse: – PACEPRVBIQ PARTAIANVM CLVSITSC – Sidewallofthe“Twin Janus.” Closeddoors meantRomewasnot atwarwithaforeign enemy. Second– (AD81)

• Denarius • Rome,AD82 • Obverse: – IMPCAES DOMITIANVSAVGP M – Laureateheadright Second– Domitian(AD81)

• Reverse: – TRPOTCOSVIIIPP – Dolphinentwined aroundananchor • Sear2745(type)/ 2749(legend) Third– Trajan(AD108)

• Denarius • Rome,AD115 • Obverse: – IMPTRAIANVSAVG GERDACPMTRP COSVIPP – Laureateheadright • Sear3323 Third– Trajan(AD108)

• Reverse: – DIVVSPATER TRAIAN – M.Ulpius Traianus (father)seatedon curule chair,holding patera andscepter • CommandedLegio X Fretensis under Vespasianinthe JewishWar(SearIIp. 124). Fourth– MarcusAurelius(AD162)

• Denarius • Rome,AD164 • Obverse: – ANTONINVSAVG ARMENIACVS – Headright Fourth– MarcusAurelius(AD162)

• Reverse: – PMTRPXVIIIIMPII COSIII – Emperorstandingright withspear,leaningon shield • RIC91,RSC468 Fourth– MarcusAurelius(AD162)

• ARMENIACUS – TitlebestowedAD164 • PMTRPXVIIIIMPIICOSIII – PM:Pontifex Maximus • headofthestatereligion – TRP:Tribunicia Potestas • Tribunician power– officeofofthePlebs – canconvenethesenate,exercisecapitalpunishment • TRP18isfortheyearstartingDecember10,AD 163 Fourth– MarcusAurelius(AD162)

• PMTRPXVIIIIMPIICOSIII – IMP: • “Commander” – victoriousgeneral • IMP2isAD163164 – COS:Consul • highestelectedofficeoftheRomanRepublic • Themostrecenttimeaconsulshipwasheld(a thirdtime)wasforayearstartingMarch7,AD161

• So… coinisdatedAD164 Fifth– Septimius Severus(AD192)

• Denarius • Rome,AD199 • Obverse: – LSEPTSEVAVGIMP XIPARTMAX – Laureateheadright Fifth– Septimius Severus(AD192)

Reverse: – PMTRPVIICOSIIP P – Fortuna(Roman, GreekTyche – personificationofluck) standingholding cornucopiaand rudder,prowatfeetto right Sixth– Maximinus (AD235)

• Denarius • Rome,AD2356 • Obverse: – IMPMAXIMINVS PIVSAVG – Laureate,drapedand cuirassedbustright • 8’ 6” tall,couldpullan oxcartonhisown Sixth– Maximinus (AD235)

• Reverse: – AVG – Victoryadvancingright holdingwreathand palm • Sear8317 Seventh– TrajanDecius(AD249)

• • Rome,AD250251 • Obverse: – IMPCMQ TRAIANVSDECIVS AVG – Radiate,cuirassed bustright Seventh– TrajanDecius(AD249)

• Reverse: – – Daciastandingleft holdingDacian standardsurmounted byawolf’shead • Sear9368 Eighth– Valerian(AD257)

• Antoninianus • Rome,AD253255 • Obverse: – IMPCPLIC VALERIANVSAVG – Radiatebustright Eighth– Valerian(AD257)

• Reverse: – APOLINI PROPVGnatori (To ApollotheDefender) – Apollo(medicine/ healing,light,truth, archery,plague) standingright,drawing bow • Sear9926 • Struckduringa plague Eighth– Valerian(AD257)

Sometimes,theartisa littleoff… Shapur I

• Dirhim (Drachm) • • AD241272(Shapur I) • Obverse: – Mazdaworshipper divinityShapur … sacredbeings – Bustright

• Zoroastrian Shapur I

• Reverse – Firealtarwith attendants

• Fireworship Ninth– Aurelian(AD274)

• Antoninianus,ca.AD 273 • Obverse: – IMPCAVRELIANVS AVG – Radiatecuirassedbust right Ninth– Aurelian(AD274)

• Reverse: – ORIENSAVG – Sol(Romansungod), holdingwhip, advancingleft betweentwocaptives • Sear11573var(no star) Tenth– Diocletian(AD303)

• Follis,ca.AD301 • Obverse: – IMPDIOCLETIANVS PFAVG – Laureateheadright Tenth– Diocletian(AD303)

• Reverse: – SACRAMONET AVGGETCAESS NOSTR – Moneta(Roman personificationof richesandwealth) standingleftholding scalesandcornucopia – SISinexergue(Siscia) • RICVI134a PaganTypes Serpents

Gen3:4Andtheserpentsaiduntothe woman,Yeshallnotsurelydie: Gen3:5ForGoddothknowthatintheday yeeatthereof,thenyoureyesshallbe opened,andyeshallbeasgods,knowing goodandevil. Serpents

•Æ • AD193211 (Septimius Severus) • Obverse: – Laureatebustright Serpents

• Reverse: – NIKAIEN(Bithynia, Nicea,nowinTurkey) – Serpent

• CouncilofNicea,AD 325 – FirstuniformChristian doctrine,Nicene Creed Serpents

•Æ • AD193211 (Septimius Severus) • Obverse: – Laureatebustright Serpents

• Reverse: – NIKOΠOLITKIΠPOC (Bithynia,Nicea,now inTurkey) – Serpentclimbingthe legofatripod Nimbate Serpent

• Reverse: – MHTPO ΦIΛIΠΠOΠOΛEC (Philippopolis,Thrace, now,) – Nimbate serpent Serpents

• Denarius • Rome,AD218219 (Elagabalus) • Obverse: – IMPCAESMAVR ANTONINVSAVG – Laureatebustright Serpents

• Reverse: – SALVSANTONINI AVG – Salus (Roman goddessofhealth, Greek:Hygiea,father Aesculapius,godof medicine)feedinga snakeheldinherarms • Sickemperor • Serpentshedsskin– symbolofrebirthand fertility SnakeBiga

• Denarius • 78BC(M.Volteius M.f.) • Obverse: – Headofyoung Bacchus(Gr. Dionysos,godofwine) wreathedwithivy

• Sear314 SnakeBiga

• Reverse: – Ceres(Roman goddessofgrowing plants)inbiga of snakesright,holding torchineachhand • Cereal – MVOLTEIMFin exergue Sphinx

• Hemidrachm • AD135(Hadrian) • Alexandria,Egypt • Obverse: – AYTKAICTPIANOC APIANOCCEB – Laureatebustright • Sear3755var Sphinx

• Reverse: – LIH(I=10,H=8:year 18,AD135) – Sphinxseatedleft, forepawonwheel

• Comparedto cherubim(mixtureof differentcreatures) Constantine Sol

• Follis,AD310313 • mint(now ,Germany) • Obverse: – CONSTANTINVSPF AVG – Laureatecuirassed bustfacingright • RICVI893 Sol

• Reverse: – SOLIINVICTO COMITI – Radiateanddraped bustofSolfacingright

• HeadofSolreverse– stillpagan • COMES companion HocSigno Eris

•Æ • AD350(Constantius II) • Obverse: – DNCONSTANTIVS PFAVG – Diademed,drapedand cuirassedbustfacing right,Abehind HocSigno VictorEris

• Reverse: – HOCSIGNOVICTOR ERIS – Emperor,diademed andinmilitarydress, holdingstandardwith ChiRho,crownedwith awreathbyVictory – SISinexergue(Siscia)

• Milvian bridgeAD312 vs. LookingtoHeaven

• Follis • AD328 • Obverse: – CONSTANTINVS MAXAVG – Rosettediademed head,right,gazingto heaven LookingtoHeaven

• Reverse: – CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE – Victoryseatedon cippus facingleft,but lookingright;palmin eachhand.Trophyin frontandkneeling captiveatfeetturning headtolook,but spurnedbyVictory HandofGod

• Æ 4 • ca.AD337 • Obverse: – DVCONSTANTINVS PTAVGG – Veiledheadfacing right HandofGod

• Reverse: – Constantineina quadriga galloping, handofGodabove, reachingdownforhim – CONSinexergue (Constantinople) • RICVIII52 LateEmpire Christograms

• Æ 3 • AD367375() • Obverse: – DNVALENSPFAVG – Diademed,draped& cuirassedbustright Christograms

• Reverse: – GLORIA ROMANORVM – Emperorwalkingright, headleft,dragging boundcaptivebythe hair&holdinglabarum • Siscia (Sisak,Croatia)

• Standardwith Christogram : labarum Christograms

• Æ 2 • AD350(Constantius II) • Obverse: – DNCONSTANTIVS PFAVG – Diademed,drapedand cuirassedbustright • RICVIII284 Christograms

• Reverse: – CONCODRIA MILITVM – Emperorinmilitary dressstandingfacing, headleft,starabove, holdinglabara – ΓSISinexergue (Siscia,nowSisak, Croatia) Christograms

• Æ 2 • AD351355 (Constantius II) • Obverse: – DNCONSTANTIVS IVNNOBC – Cuirassedbustright,A behind • RICVII329 Christograms

• Reverse: – FELTEMP REPARATIO – Emperorinmilitary dressstandinglefton galley,holdingVictory onglobeandlabarum, Victorysteerstheship – IIIinfield – BSISinexergue (Siscia,nowSisak, Croatia) Christograms

• Æ 2 • AD379395(Aelia Flaccilla,wifeof TheodosiusI) • Obverse: – Diademedanddraped bustright Christograms

• Reverse: – SALVSREPVBLICAE • health/safetyofthe nation – Victoryseatedright, inscribingChristogram onashieldfixedtothe trunkofatree – SMNAinexergue (Nicomedia,nowIzmit, Turkey) II,theApostate

• Æ 2 • AD361363 • Obverse: – DNFLCLIVLIANVS PFAVG – Diademeddrapedand cuirassedbustright JulianII,theApostate

• Reverse: – SECVRITASREIPUB – Apis bullwithtwostars above – TESΓ inexergue (Thessalonica– think 1Ths and2Ths) • RICVIII225 TheodosiusI

• Æ 4 • AD379395 • Obverse: – DNTHEODOSIVSPF AVG – Diademeddrapedand cuirassedbustright TheodosiusI

• Reverse: – VICTORIAAVGGG – Victorywalkingleft – ESISinexergue (Siscia,nowSisak, Croatia)

• Solidus • Ravenna,AD402 423 • Obverse: – DNHONORIVSPF AVG – Diademed,drapedand cuirassedbustright Honorius

• Reverse: – VICTORIAAVGGG – Honoriusstanding right,footonacaptive, holdingastandardand Victory,RVinfield – COMOB(Comitatus mint,themintinthe Emperor'scourt;OB shortfor"obryziacum aurum" "finegold") • Romesackedby VisigothAlaricI410