The Biblical Magi A Set of Three Coins Three wise men, kings from the East, follow the Star of Bethlehem to the manger where Mary lay with the baby Jesus, and present the newborn king with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The story is an indelible part of Christian culture that is renewed with every singing of “We Three Kings,” with every Nativity display on every lawn at Christmastime, with every celebration of Twelfth Night, which commemorates the day that the Magi arrived. So who were the “wise men,” really? Magi is a Latin word deriving from an Old Persian term for the Zoroastrian priestly caste; the English word magic derives from it. Given the significance of the star in the Gospel story, it is likely that the Magi were astrologers, highly regarded in that era, and that they hailed from somewhere within the boundary of the old Persian Empire, which included most of the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. Matthew 2:1-12, the lone mention of the “wise men” in the Scriptures, tells us that after visiting Jesus, the Magi “departed into their own country,” indicating that, contrary to popular belief, the Magi were all from the same kingdom, and not three different ones. Scholars now believe the Magi were representatives of the Indo-Scythian ruler Azes II, king of Bactria, in what is now Afghanistan. A political descendent of Alexander the Great, Azes would have been influenced by happenings in the West, and it was certainly in his interests to get into the good graces of the future King of the Jews. Religious art tends to portray one of the kings presenting Jesus with a vessel made of gold, but it is more likely that “gold” alluded to in the Gospel is shorthand for “money”—most likely the coins of Azes II included in this collection. Indo-Scythian Billon Tetradrachm Of Azes II Coins of Azes II This collection includes three Azes II coins of the kind that would have been used to finance the journey of the Magi: a bronze tetradrachm, a silver drachm, and a silver tetradrachm. On the obverse is the king on horseback, following a star. On the reverse is one of several Greek deities. The coins feature both Greek and Kharoshthi writing, making these among the earliest bilingual coins. Much of Country Bactria Azes’ coinage was issued before the birth of Christ, but all were in circulation Year of issue 35 BCE-CE 5 during Jesus’ lifetime. Ruler Azes II Coin image is for illustration purpose, and Denomination Tetradrachm not true to scale. Coin grade may vary somewhat from image Material Billon Weight 6.4-9.7 g Diameter 19-22 mm Thickness 3.2-4.6 mm Obverse Azes II on horseback Reverse Greek deity Indo-Scythian Silver Tetradrachm of Azes II Coins of Azes II This collection includes three Azes II coins of the kind that would have been used to finance the journey of the Magi: a bronze tetradrachm, a silver drachm, and a silver tetradrachm. On the obverse is the king on horseback, following a star. On the reverse is one of several Greek deities. The coins feature both Greek and Kharoshthi writing, making these among the earliest bilingual coins. Much of Country Bactria Azes’ coinage was issued before the birth of Christ, but all were in circulation Year of issue 35 BCE-CE 5 during Jesus’ lifetime. Coin image is for illustration purpose, and Ruler Azes II not true to scale. Coin grade may vary somewhat from image Denomination Tetradrachm Material Silver Weight 8-9.5 g Diameter 21.9-26 mm Thickness 2.56-3.3 mm Obverse Azes II on horseback Reverse Greek deity Indo-Scythian Silver Drachm of Azes II Coins of Azes II This collection includes three Azes II coins of the kind that would have been used to finance the journey of the Magi: a bronze tetradrachm, a silver drachm, and a silver tetradrachm. On the obverse is the king on horseback, following a star. On the reverse is one of several Greek deities. The coins feature both Greek and Kharoshthi writing, making these among the earliest bilingual coins. Much of Country Bactria Azes’ coinage was issued before the birth of Christ, but all were in circulation Year of issue 35 BCE-CE 5 during Jesus’ lifetime. Coin image is for illustration purpose, and Ruler Azes II not true to scale. Coin grade may vary somewhat from image Denomination Drachm Material Silver Weight 1.6-2.3g Diameter 12.9-14.5 mm Thickness 1.9-2.6 mm Obverse Azes II on horseback Reverse Greek deity .