Herod Archelaus Judean Ethnarch, 4 BCE-6 CE
AE Prutah, [16 x 18 mm, 2.25 g]
Obv: ΕθΝΑΡΧΟΥ (of the Ethnarch): crested helmet with cheek straps, dots around edge
Rev: HPWΔΟΥ (of Herod): bunch of grapes on vine with small leaf on left, dots around edge
References: Hendin6 #6227, Hendin5 #1196
Herod Archelaus was Herod the Great’s oldest son with Samaritan wife, Malthace; named ethnarch by Augustus after Herod’s death.
Herod Archelaus Judean Ethnarch, 4 BCE-6 CE
AE Prutah, [16 x 18 mm, 2.25 g]
Obv: ΕθΝΑΡΧΟΥ (of the Ethnarch): crested helmet with cheek straps, dots around edge
Rev: HPWΔΟΥ (of Herod): bunch of grapes on vine with small leaf on left, dots around edge
References: Hendin6 #6227, Hendin5 #1196
Herod Archelaus was Herod the Great’s oldest son with Samaritan wife, Malthace; named ethnarch by Augustus after Herod’s death.
Antioch, Syria, Augustus 27BCE-14 CE
AE [ 20 mm, 8.04 g, 12 h ], year 43 (12-13 CE)
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Reverse: ANTIOXΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΣΙΛΑΝΟΥ; Ram running right looking at star behind, date ΓΜ below.
References: Butcher 57, BMC Galatia 63, RPC I 4268
Possibly commemorating the celestial event or “Heavenly Alignment” considered to be the “Star of Bethlehem”
Antioch, Syria, Augustus 27BCE-14 CE
AE [ 19 mm, 7.56 g, 12 h], year 43 (12-13 CE)
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Reverse: ANTIOXΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΣΙΛΑΝΟΥ; Ram running right looking at star behind, date ΓΜ below.
References: Butcher 57, BMC Galatia 63, RPC I 4268
Possibly commemorating the celestial event or “Heavenly Alignment” considered to be the “Star of Bethlehem”
Ephesus, Ionia in Asia Minor, 375-325 BCE
AE [11 mm, 1.25 g, 12 h]
Obverse: Female head left (maybe Artemis or city tyche)
Reverse: Ε-Φ either side of bee.
References: SNG von Aulock 1839; SNG Copenhagen 256; BMC 68
A beautiful tiny coin from the city of the Temple of Diana and site of one of the earliest Christian Churches in Asia Minor
Tarsos Cilicia, 164-27 BCE
AE [20 mm, 5.23 g, 12 h]
Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche to right
Reverse: TARΣEΩN; Sandan standing on/behind mythical? Horned animal, lettering/monograms to left (CΑΝ ΦΛΙ ?)
References: sim. SNG France 1305 var?
Hometown of the Apostle Paul
Neat coin, can’t find exact reference with lettering to left of Sandan.
Domitian as Caesar?, Antioch Syria, 69-81 AD
AE [ 25 mm, 13.93 g, 6h]
Obv: Laureate head left
Rev: Large SC in laurel wreath.
References: RPC II 2016 ( or 2023)??
Domitian as Caesar, Antioch Syria, 69-81 AD
AE 21 [ 21 mm, 6.48 g, 6h], under Vespasian
Obv: Laureate head left, DOMITIANVS CAESAR
Rev: Large SC in laurel wreath.
References: RPC II 2017, McAlee 51, BMC 251-2
Antoninus Pius, Antioch Syria, 138-161 AD
AE AS [22 mm, 8.49 g, 6h]
Obv: Laureate head right, star under chin, legend around edge.
Rev: Large SC, ε above, eagle below, within wreath
References: RPC IV 7004, BMC 324, 330, McAlee (Pius) 8
Tarsus (Tarsos) Cilicia, 164-27 BCE
AE 17 [18 mm, 6.64 g, 6 h]
Obverse: Club within wreath, TP monogram to right
Reverse: TARΣEΩN; Zeus seated left holding Nike, crescent and star in left field
References: SG 5675, BMC13
Tarsus (Tarsos), Cilicia, circa 164-27 BCE
AE [22 mm, 6.91 g, 12 h]
Obv: Turreted tyche facing right
Rev: Sandan standing right on horned, winged animal, within a pyramidal monument surmounted by an eagle, ΤΑΡΣΕΩΝ to right, monograms to left
References: SG 5672, etc
