Category: History of the World
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
Denarius of Tiberius
The Denarius of the Emperor Tiberius, commonly referred to as the “Tribute Penny,” was referenced by Jesus Christ in the Bible. As written in Mark 12:17, Jesus referenced the denarius when asked about paying taxes to the Romans. He held up the coin and said: “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things […]
November 4, 2019
Sulla Silver Denarius
Lucius Cornelius Sulla, often referred to simply as “Sulla,” has the honor of being the first living person depicted on Roman coin. Sulla also played a significant role in the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of its empire under Julius Caesar. The next time a living person appeared on a Roman coin […]
October 29, 2019
The Hannibal Coin from Carthage
Unlike other ancient civilizations, little remains of Carthage. There are few works of art, literature, or architecture to tell the story of the Carthaginians. Some coins exist, although they are expensive when they come up for auction. Coins bearing a horse or local flora and fauna were minted in Carthage since the fifth century BC. […]
October 15, 2019
Alexander the Great Tetradrachm
Under Alexander the Great, the silver tetradrachm was the most widely-circulated coin. As Alexander built his empire, it was used to pay tribute, as well as mercenaries. After Alexander’s death, the kingdoms that had been under his rule continued to mint the coins bearing his name. Rise of Alexander the Great When Phillip II died […]
October 7, 2019
Athenian Tetradrachm
During the second half of the fifth century, the abundant silver mines of nearby Laurium allowed Athens to produce millions of tetradrachms. The silver coins helped fund the Golden Age of Athens, during which the military, politics, and culture of the ancient Greek civilization flourished. Golden Age of Athens In 479 B.C., the Greek city-states finally […]
September 30, 2019
Macedon Gold Stater of Phillip II
Philip II ruled the Kingdom of Macedon from 359-336 B.C. Though far less well-known than his son, Alexander the Great, King Phillip started the expansion of the Macedonian Kingdom into an empire. He is also remembered for his gold Staters, although most are thought to have been produced posthumously. King Philip’s gold Stater was the […]
September 23, 2019
Darics of Persia’s Achaemenid Empire
A silver or gold coin that might have circulated to pay for troops and supplies during the first Persian invasion of Greece between 492 BC and 490BC represents this important period of the history of western civilization. The invasion ended in failure for the Persians at the battle of Marathon. However, the Persians added new […]
September 16, 2019