Coins of the Bible -Render Unto Caesar…

14-37 AD

Obverse: CAESAR DIVI AVG. F. AVGVSTVS, Laureate head

Reverse: PONTIF. MAXIM., Livia as Pax, holding reversed spear, seated r. on throne with ornamented legs

Exact Replica of the Original.

The denarius of Tiberius with Pax reverse is commonly known as the ‘Tribute Penny’, the coin to which Jesus referred when he was discussing paying taxes to the Romans and said “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). Although there are two other reverse types on denarii of Tiberius, they were only issued during the first two years of his reign, while the Pax reverse was employed throughout the remainder, making it the more likely coin referred to. The term ‘penny’ is from the 1611 King James translation of the Bible, and was adopted since the penny was the standard denomination of the time. .

Diameter: 18 mm

Silver plated lead free pewter

This coin is stamped on the reverse with the word copy.

Packaged in a coin collecting flip with the description of coin printed on flip insert.

What are good references for the new or novice ancient coin collector, a question that I’m often asked? I put together a list of references that I commonly use for my research. My list is not all inclusive, as you do your research you will find additional resources that you may want to use. The discovery process is what makes this hobby so much fun.

Collecting coins can be a rewarding hobby that exercises and expands the mind. My favorite part of this hobby is researching the history of the coins and the rulers who issued them.

Art’s appreciation is part this hobby. Coins are miniature art. My favorite artistic coins are from the Greek classical period also known as the period of finest art (412 – 345 B.C.). They are the most exquisite coins ever created in numismatic history.

I use books as well as websites to do my research. I’m finding that internet resources have really taken off in the past 10 years and are becoming my preference when starting my research.

Here is my list of ancient Greek and Roman coin resources:

Ancient Coin Reference Books:

1. Greek Coins and Their Values Volume 1: Europe

2. Greek Coins and Their Values (Volume II Asia and Africa)

3. Roman Coins and Their Values by David R. Sear

4. A Dictionary of Roman Coins – by Seth William Stevenson, F.S.A., C Roach Smith, F.S.A., and Frederic W. Madden, M.R.A.S. First published by George Bell and Sons, 1889. Reprinted by B A Seaby Ltd, London in 1964. The entire book can be found on line at FORVM ANCIENT COINS.

5. Roman Silver Coins: The Republic to Augustus, Vol. 1

6. Roman Silver Coins: Tiberius to Commodus, Vol. 2.

7. Roman Silver Coins Vol. III, Pertinax-Balbinus and Pupienus

8. Roman Silver Coins: Vol. Iv Gordian Iii – Postumus

9. Roman Silver Coins, Vol V, Carausius to Romulus Augustus

10. For a primer on how to spot counterfeit and reproduction coins: Classical Deception: Counterfeits, Forgeries, and Reproductions of Ancient Coins.
Many of Peter J. Rosa’s Greek and Roman coin reproductions are cataloged in this book.

Internet Resources:

1. One of my favorites is the British Museum catalogs of Ancient Greek coins. The fist volume was published in 1873 with the twenty eighth volume being published in 1922. This is the largest collection of ancient Greek coins ever published, and has been digitized on-line at: British Museum Catalog of Greek Coins

2. Wildwinds.com is a database created as a reference, attribution and valuation resource in the field of ancient numismatics.

3. FORVM ANCIENT COINS’ Numiswiki, is a collection of numismatic history references and articles that you can read, edit, correct, or update. On Numiswiki you will find the entire volume of “A Dictionary of Roman Coins by Seth William Stevenson, 1889″, this is a great Roman coin reference.

4. Coin Articles has a directory of coin websites.

Obverse: IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed & draped bust right

Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing, head left, holding caduceus & resting arm on column

Diameter: 18 mm

24k Gold plated fine pewter

Obverse: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES Bare-headed and draped bust

Reverse: FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing facing, head left holding standard in each hand

Diameter: 18 mm

24k Gold plated fine pewter

Obverse: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, bare-headed draped bust right

Reverse: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, prince standing left, holding standard & spear

Diameter: 18 mm

24k Gold plated fine pewter

Obverse: IMP CAES C PRES NIGER IVST VS AVG, laureate draped bust right

Reverse: CONCORDIA P. P, emperor standing left, holding globe.

Diameter: 18 mm

24k Gold plated fine pewter

Obverse:

The left top: L for Lima Peru Mint.

The middle top: 8 is the value of the coin (8 escudos).

Top Right: H is the assayer who purchased the right from Spain to run the mint. His stamp was assurance of the correct weigh and purity of the gold content of the coins minted. The office of the assayer was purchasable, transferable, and leasable. It was very competitive like the sale of a seat on the NY Stock Exchange.
Assayer H was Francisco Hurtado.

The most interesting part of the coin is the message in the middle three spaces, letters (P, V, A) an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “Plus ultra” and was the national motto of Spain. Associated with the Pillars of Hercules near the Straits of Gibraltar. In mythology it marked the edge of the then known world, and the pillars bore the warning that there was nothing further beyond. This was a statement from Spain that they went beyond the Straits of Gibraltar and were rewarded with the riches of the new world.

Crowned pillars on the coin represent the Pillars of Hercules and the waves at the bottom the sea between them.

Bottom three spaces: 710 is the date 1710.

Legend around coin: ET YNDIARUM REX ANO 1710. = “and of the Indies King in the year 1710.”

Latin INDIARVM with the I rendered as a Y sometimes = of the Indies

REX = King

ANO = Latin for year

Reverse:

The cross is not the unbalanced crucifix type cross but a symmetrical cross that was a symbol of the union of Church and state. When the perpendicular bar was added to each extremity it was called the cross of Jerusalem .

In the four quadrants of the cross are two lions and two castles which represent the merger of the two medieval kingdoms of Leon and Castilla and later became known as Spain .

Legend around coin: PHILLIPPVS V (King Philip V), D.G. (Abbreviation for the “Grace of God”), HISPANIA (abbreviation for Spain ).

The original coin that the impressions for this replica were taken from was salvaged from the 1715 Lost Spanish Treasure Fleet off the cost of Florida.

Diameter: 30.5 mm

24k gold plated lead free fine pewter.

One of the most famous American coin issues. Struck in New York by gold and silversmith Ephrain Brasher, who was a neighbor and friend of George Washington in New York.

There are only five Brasher Doubloons that are known to exist, one sold at Hertiage’s 2005 auction for $2,450000.00.

Brasher’s half doubloon is unique and is in the Smithsonian Collection. Struck from the same dies as Brasher’s gold doubloon but on a smaller planchet.

Brasher’s Doubloon:

Diameter: 30 mm (1-3/16″) The diameter of a US half dollar is 30.61mm.

Obverse: Mountain surmounted with the sun and rays emanating from it. Open sea in the foreground with BRASHER below. NOVA EBORACA COLUMBIA / EXCELOR around.

Reverse: Heraldic eagle with olive branch in talons at left and arrows at right; 13 stars near eagle’s head. EB on wing. UNUM E PLURIBUS / 1787 and ornaments around.

Brasher’s Half Doubloon:

Diameter: 24 mm ( 0.94488 inches)

Obverse: Mountain surmounted with the sun and rays emanating from it. Open sea in the foreground with BRASHER below.

Reverse: Heraldic eagle with olive branch in talons at left and arrows at right; 13 stars near eagle’s head. EB on wing.

24k gold plated lead free find pewter.

Struck from the same dies as Brasher’s gold doubloon using a smaller planchet.

Brasher’s half doubloon is unique, and is in the Smithsonian Museum Collection.

Diameter: 24 mm

24k gold plated lead free fine pewter.