Archives
Silver Hemidrachm of Umar
Coins of the Abbasid Governors of Tabaristan exist today in large numbers because they were used by merchants on the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that spanned more than 7,000 miles from Constantinople to China. The Kingdom of Tabaristan, located in modern-day northern Iran, was also located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, […]
January 14, 2020
Umayyad Caliphate Gold Dinar
The Umayyad dinar was the first coin to articulate the Islamic Faith. The first one was believed to have been struck in the year 77 of Hijra ( 696/7AD) in time for the pilgrimage season so that every Muslim could take home a statement of their faith as a coin in their pocket. It also […]
January 6, 2020
Solidus of Justinian II
Jesus Christ first appeared on Roman coins during the reign of Justinian II. He ruled the Eastern Roman (or Byzantine Empire) from 685 to 695 A.D. and again from 705 to 711 A.D. Reign of Justinian II Justinian II first ruled the Roman Empire alongside his father, Emperor Constantine IV. In 685, at the age […]
December 31, 2019
Justinian I AE Follis
Roman Emperor Justinian I, Justinian the Great, ruled the Byzantine Empire from 527 A.D. to 565 A.D. Among his many accomplishments, Justinian codified all existing Roman laws in what would be known as the Codex Justinianus. Of particular interest to numismatists, Justinian eliminated pagan imagery from Roman coinage in the East. Reign of Justinian I Justinian was adopted by his uncle, […]
December 23, 2019
Saint Helena’s Portrait
Saint Helena was the wife of the Roman emperor Constantius I and the mother of the emperor Constantine the Great. Due to her significant influence during his reign, Constantine minted coins with her name, titles and portrait. Influence of Helena Helena was married to Constantine’s father, Constantius, until they divorced around 289 A.D. After he […]
December 17, 2019
Constantine the Great AE Follis
Constantine the Great was the first Christian emperor of Rome. Nonetheless, many of the coins issued during his reign still incorporated pagan designs. Reign of Constantine Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, ruled the Roman Empire from AD 306 and 337. He rose to power during a time of civil war, becoming the […]
December 9, 2019
Commodus As Hercules on the Denarius
Commodus, the son of Marcus Aurelius, served as the Emperor of Rome from 180 to 192 A.D. During his reign, he came to associate himself with Hercules, minting coins of himself wearing the Greek hero’s trademark lion-skin headdress. Decline of the Roman Empire Marcus Aurelius reversed all of his accomplishment as a Roman Emperor in […]
December 3, 2019
Denarius of Marcus Aurelius, “Philosopher King”
Marcus Aurelius served as the emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 A.D. His 19-year reign was marked by military conflict and a series of disasters, including a plague that devastated Rome. Despite these challenges, the coins he minted reflect military victories and a quest for peace, highlighting the use of coins as propaganda in […]
November 25, 2019
Shekel of Tyre
The Shekel of Tyre was the official Jewish Temple sanctuary coin. It was also one of the most widely circulated coins during the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Tyre, a port city of ancient Phoenicia, was a center of commerce in the ancient world. Many of the coins it produced made their way to […]
November 20, 2019
Prutah of Pontius Pilate
Many of the Roman prefects of the province of Judea issued their own coinage. Because of his connection to Jesus Christ, the prutah of Pontius Pilot are among the most coveted. Pilate’s Rule Over Judea Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (or governor) of Judaea under Emperor Tiberius, ruling from 26/27 to 36/37 A.D. Under […]
November 11, 2019