Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Judean & Biblical Coins| ▸ |Biblical Coins| ▸ |Travels of Saint Paul||View Options:   | | | St. Paul's various journeys, occurring from about 35 A.D. to around 67 A.D., took him through a wide array of cities in regions of Syria and Asia Minor. During these journeys his life was affected by major political figures such as Aretas IV, King of the Nabataeans (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.) (2 Cor 11:32); Roman Emperors like Nero (54 - 68 A.D.) (Acts 26:32); the Roman Procurators Antonius Felix (52 - 60 A.D.) (Acts 24:24) and Porcius Festus (59 - 62 A.D) (Acts 24:27) the Herodian rulers Agrippa I (37 - 44 A.D.) and Agrippa II (55 - 95 A.D.) (Acts 25:13); and pagan deities such as Diana (Artemis) of Ephesus (Acts 19:28). See the bottom of this page for a chart of the cities Paul visited. Click on Travels of Paul to see a map and read an article about Paul's journeys. |
Half Shekel - the currency of the Jerusalem Temple.
At the Great Temple in Jerusalem the annual tax levied on Jews was 1/2 shekel per male. The 1/2 shekel and shekel were not always used in everyday commerce, but were the only coins accepted by the temple. Many taxpayers required a currency exchange, so money changers set up in the Temple court. Jesus found this business and their shouting (advertising rates) offensive, so he threw over their tables.SH86530. Silver half shekel, HGC 10 358; Cohen DCA 921 (S); BMC Phoenicia p. 251, 226 var. (different monogram right); cf. Rouvier 2131 (this year and monogram, shekel), aVF, centered, toned, scrapes, edge chips and lamination defects, corrosion, rough, weight 5.430 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Phoenicia, Tyre (Lebanon) mint, 80 - 79 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle standing left, head left, wings closed, right talon on war galley ram, palm frond transverse right behind, ZM (year 47) over club left, ΦIΛ monogram
right, Aramaic letter bet between legs; from the David Cannon Collection, ex Beast Coins; SOLDCorinth, Corinthia, Greece, c. 345 - 307 B.C.
Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She was believed to lead soldiers into battle as the war goddess Athena Promachos. The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis was dedicated to her, along with numerous other temples and monuments across Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. Her usual attribute is the owl and Nike is her frequent companion.SH26890. Silver stater, Pegasi I 427, Ravel 1009, gVF, weight 8.512 g, maximum diameter 20.9 mm, die axis 270o, Corinth mint, c. 375 - 300 B.C.; obverse Pegasos flying left, koppa below; reverse laureate and helmeted head of Athena (or Aphrodite) left, aegis behind, A-P below; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Theophilus, 12 May 821 - 20 January 842 A.D.
After Leo III, 717-741 A.D., the semissis and tremissis were issued only in small quantities and normally only on particular occasions for ceremonial distribution.SH10988. Gold semissis, SBCV 1674; DOC III-1 26c, Morrisson BnF 8-10, EF, weight 1.749 g, maximum diameter 12.8 mm, die axis 135o, Sicily, Syracuse mint, 829 - 830 A.D.; obverse ΘEOFIΛOS, crowned bust of Theophilus facing with short beard, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger; reverse similar to obverse, but emperor wears loros instead of chlamys; ex Edward J. Waddell; SOLD
Chios, Islands off Ionia, c. 490 - 480 B.C.
Chios was one of the first cities to strike coins, taking the sphinx as its symbol, a tradition maintained for almost 900 years. In 546 B.C. Chios became subject to the Persia. It was liberated by the Persia defeat at the Battle of Mycale in 479 B.C. When the Athenians formed the Delian League, Chios joined as one of the few members who did not have to pay tribute but instead supplied ships.GA57815. Silver stater or didrachm, SNG Cop 1540; SNG Online III Lockett 2855; SNGvA 2274; BMC Ionia p. 329, 2; HGC 6 1119 (R1), F, weight 7.887 g, maximum diameter 16.0 mm, Islands of Ionia, Chios mint, c. 490 - 480 B.C.; obverse winged sphinx seated left, archaic curved wings, amphora before (off flan), all on a raised disk (shield?); reverse rough quadripartite incuse square; SOLD
Quietus, Fall or Winter 260 - Late 261 A.D.
Jupiter or Jove, Zeus to the Greeks, was the king of the gods and god of the sky and thunder, and of laws and social order. As the patron deity of ancient Rome, he was the chief god of the Capitoline Triad, with his sister and wife Juno. The father of Mars, he is, therefore, the grandfather of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Emperors frequently made vows to Jupiter for protection. The Roman's believed as the king of the gods, Jupiter favored emperors and kings, those in positions of authority similar to his own.SH26407. Silvered antoninianus, Göbl MIR1735n, RSC IV 8a, RIC V-2 6 (R2), SRCV III 10823, Hunter IV - (p. lxxvi), gVF, much silvering remains, full circle centering on a ragged flan, weight 3.732 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, obverse IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter seated left, patera in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, eagle at feet, star left; rare; SOLD
Macrianus, Summer 260 - Early Summer 261 A.D.
Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was the sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers. In 274 the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults. The god was favored by emperors after Aurelian and appeared on their coins until Constantine. The last inscription referring to Sol Invictus dates to 387 and there were enough devotees in the 5th century that Augustine found it necessary to preach against them. The date 25 December was selected for Christmas to replace the popular Roman festival Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun."RA26604. Billon antoninianus, Göbl MIR 1741, RSC IV 12, RIC V-2 12 (R2), Hunter 8, SRCV III 10809, Choice VF, full circle centering, original hoard toning, weight 4.531 g, maximum diameter 22.1 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, summer 260 - early summer 261 A.D.; obverse IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse SOL INVICTO, Sol standing left, nude but for radiate crown and cloak on left shoulder, raising right hand commanding the sun to rise, globe in left; rare; SOLD
Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.
"The 'Solidus' was a revision instituted about 310 by Constantine I to the Roman gold coin standard, the 'aureus'. The aureus weight had fluctuated but settled at five to the Roman ounce, which meant that it was not a standard weight since the Romans had no name for a fifth of an ounce. Constantine I struck solidi at six to the ounce, which equaled the Roman weight unit of the 'sextula'. Solidi were struck at about 98% fineness and were 20-21 mm's in diameter. With the defeat of the Licinii by Constantine in 324 the solidus became the standard Roman gold coin and remained so for over 600 years." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerSH11117. Gold solidus, RIC IX Antioch 2(a), gF, clipped, scratches on reverse, weight 3.464 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 25 Feb 364 - 24 Aug 367 A.D.; obverse D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, ANT [.. ]• in exergue; SOLD
Miletos, Ionia, c. 600 - 550 B.C.
Before the Persian invasion in the middle of the 6th century B.C., Miletus was the greatest and wealthiest of Greek cities and had a maritime empire with many colonies. After Cyrus of Persia defeated Croesus of Lydia in the middle of the 6th century B.C., Miletus fell under Persian rule.SH21306. Electrum 1/12th stater, Linzalone LN1120, SNG Kayhan 444 - 448, Klein 415, SNG Cop -, Rosen -, Weidauer -, VF, weight 1.059 g, maximum diameter 7.6 mm, Miletos (near Balat, Turkey) mint, 600 - 550 B.C.; obverse lion's head right; reverse punch with four pellets connected to central pellet; SOLD
Quietus, Fall or Winter 260 - Late 261 A.D.
After the Sasanians captured Valerian, the legion commander Macrianus Senior had his sons Macrianus Junior and Quietus declared emperors. The new rulers drove the Persians out of Antioch but were defeated by Gallienus' legions. Quietus was murdered by the populace of Emesa to avoid siege by Gallienus' forces.SH60620. Silvered antoninianus, Göbl MIR1735n, RSC IV 8a, RIC V-2 6, SRCV III 10823, Hunter IV - (p. lxxvi), VF, weight 3.536 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 2nd emission; obverse IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter seated left, patera in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, eagle standing left with head right at feet, star above left; rare; SOLD
Constantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Most references describe the reverse on this very rare type as the plan of a Roman camp. But experts disagree and there are many theories. One possibility is that the reverse depicts what Constantine saw in his vision; except the god on the coin appears to be Sol, not Christ. One explanation for this is that he did not come to understand the true meaning his vision until just prior to his battle with Licinius (when he may have had another vision).SH32718. Billon centenionalis, RIC VII Thessalonica 71, aVF, weight 2.745 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, as caesar, 319 A.D.; obverse CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS EXERC (courage of the army), cross shaped pattern, usually described as the plan of a Roman camp, Sol holding globe and raising hand standing above center, TSB in exergue; very rare reverse; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Nicephorus Basilacius, Usurper, Summer 1078 A.D., Anonymous Class N Follis
Until 1976 this type was regarded as anonymous (Class N) because neither of the two known specimens had a visible legend. In 1976, Grierson published a new specimen with a legend naming the ruler, Nicephorus (Grierson, P. "Nicephorus Bryennius or Nicephorus Basilacius?" in NumCirc LXXXIV.1 (January 1976), type a). There were two candidates, Nicephorus Bryennius and Nicephorus Basilacius, both usurpers, Bryennius in 1077 - 1078, and Basilacius in Thessalonica for a few months during 1078. In 1992, Roger Bland published an example with the legend on the obverse right side reading POCBAC, which has been accepted as proving this type was struck by Basilacius (Bland, R. "A Follis of Nicephorus Basilacius?" NC 1992, p. 175 ff. and pl. 36, B). Our coin has a different more complete but blundered and obscure inscription on the obverse right side.SH76553. Bronze follis, DOC III-2 p. 706, N.1 (anonymous class N follis); Grierson 1976, type a; Bland Basilacius pl. 36, B; SBCV 1903A; Sommer 58.1, VF, uneven strike as always for the type, overstruck (some of the type are overstruck on class D and E anonymous folles), weight 5.047 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, summer 1078 A.D.; obverse [+NIKHΦW-PO]C BACI(ΛK?)E (a new legend variation!), facing bust of Christ, nimbus cross with plain arms, wearing tunic and himation, right hand raised in blessing, Gospels in left, IC-XC flanking across field; reverse patriarchal cross on base; IC-XC / NI-KA (Jesus Christ conquers) in the quarters; extremely rare; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, John V Palaeologus, 15 June 1341 - 16 February 1391 A.D.
John V was made emperor three days short of his ninth birthday. Anna of Savoy was appointed regent for her son. After Anna was defeated in a civil war, John V was made junior emperor to his former advisor John VI Kantakouzenos and he married John VI's daughter. John VI ignored his young colleague and in time even replaced him with his own son Matthew. John V Palaeologus obtained Genoese help, overthrew his rivals, took sole rule and banished John Kantakouzenos to a monastery. John V converted to Catholicism in an attempt to obtain aid from the West against the Turks, but even this failed. Without allies, the Byzantine state was forced to become a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, permitted to exist only by the grace of the mighty Sultan.SH87665. Bronze stamenon, Lianta 887; Bendall PCPC 317; B-D LPC p. 238, 8 (Andronicus III); SBCV 2525 (assarion); DOC V -; Sommer -; Grierson -, VF, dark patina, slightly off center, weight 1.695 g, maximum diameter 21.2 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 1365 - 1369 A.D.; obverse Saint Demetrius standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic, breastplate, and sagion, inverted spear vertical in right hand, resting left hand on grounded shield at side, flanked on each side by a long cross with three bars, anepigraphic; reverse emperor standing facing, wearing crown with pendilia, stemma, divitision, collar-piece and loros, staff topped with a cross in circle in right hand, Manus Dei (the hand of God) above left, model of city (wall with gate and towers) in left hand, star with eight rays lower right; very rare; SOLD
The Temple Tax Coin, Tyre KP Type Half Shekel, Jerusalem or Tyre Mint, 41 - 42 A.D.
At the Great Temple in Jerusalem the annual tax levied was 1/2 shekel per male. The 1/2 shekel and shekel were the only coins accepted by the temple. Some experts believe that after the coinage of Tyre was debased under Roman control, Herod the Great began to strike "Tyre" shekels in Jerusalem. These coins were of cruder fabric and style, but maintained the silver purity required to pay the temple tax. The "Jerusalem" shekels have the letters KP or KAP to the right of the eagle and dates range from PH (18/17 B.C.) to P
E (69/70 A.D.). The Greek letters KP or KAP are probably an abbreviation for KAICAP, Greek for Caesar. JD40446. Silver half shekel, BMC Phoenicia p. 253, 241; RPC I 4699; Prieur 1469, VF, corrosion, dark toning, weight 5.940 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 0o, Tyre or Jerusalem mint, 41 - 42 A.D.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle standing left, head left, wings closed, right talon on war galley ram, palm frond transverse right behind, PΞΖ (year 167) over club left, KP over Φ (control) right, Aramaic aleph (control) between legs; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, John V Palaeologus, 15 June 1341 - 16 February 1391 A.D.
John V was made emperor three days short of his ninth birthday. Anna of Savoy was appointed regent for her son. After Anna was defeated in a civil war, John V was made junior emperor to his former advisor John VI Kantakouzenos and he married John VI's daughter. John VI ignored his young colleague and in time even replaced him with his own son Matthew. John V Palaeologus obtained Genoese help, overthrew his rivals, took sole rule and banished John Kantakouzenos to a monastery. John V converted to Catholicism in an attempt to obtain aid from the West against the Turks, but even this failed. Without allies, the Byzantine state was forced to become a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, permitted to exist only by the grace of the mighty Sultan.BZ84652. Bronze stamenon, Lianta 887; Bendall PCPC 317; B-D LPC p. 238, 8 (Andronicus III); SBCV 2525 (assarion); DOC V -; Sommer -; Grierson -, aVF, full flan, edge cracks, excellent for the type, weight 0.956 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 1365 - 1369 A.D.; obverse Saint Demetrius standing facing, nimbate, wearing tunic, breastplate, and sagion, inverted spear vertical in right hand, resting left hand on grounded shield at side, flanked on each side by a long cross with three bars, anepigraphic; reverse emperor standing facing, wearing crown with pendilia, stemma, divitision, collar-piece and loros, staff topped with a cross in circle in right hand, Manus Dei (the hand of God) above left, model of city (wall with gate and towers) in left hand, star with eight rays lower right; very rare; SOLD
Jovian, 27 June 363 - 17 February 364 A.D.
The labarum, was a type of Roman cavalry standard, a vexillum with a military ensign marked with the Christogram (Greek monogram of Christ). It was an object of religious veneration amongst the soldiers, who paid it divine honors.RL18344. Billon double maiorina, RIC VIII Thessalonica 238, Choice VF, weight 8.774 g, maximum diameter 28.2 mm, die axis 165o, 3rd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 27 Jun 363 - 17 Feb 364 A.D.; obverse D N IOVIANV-S P F P P AVG, laurel and rosette diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIA ROMANORVM (the Roman victory), Jovian standing facing, head right, holding Victory on globe and Chi-Rho standard, •TESΓ•; rare; SOLD
Herennia Etruscilla, Augusta July 249 - April/August 253(?) A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Antioch was called "the cradle of Christianity" as a result of its longevity and the pivotal role that it played in the emergence of both Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity. The name "Christian" first emerged in Antioch. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian Tetrapolis, and its residents were known as Antiochenes. It was a metropolis of half a million people during Augustan times, but it declined to relative insignificance during the Middle Ages because of warfare, repeated earthquakes, and a change in trade routes, which no longer passed through Antioch from the far east following the Mongol conquests.RY06962. Billon tetradrachm, cf. McAlee 1168, Prieur 616, SNG Cop -, BMC Galatia -, aEF, well centered, flat areas on eagle, weight 10.760 g, maximum diameter 26.6 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 249 - 251 A.D.; obverse EPENNIA ETOPOVCKIΛΛA CEB, draped bust right, crescent behind shoulders, wearing stephane, hair in horizontal ridges, plait looped up the back of her head; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC (holder of Tribunitian power), eagle standing facing on palm frond, head left, wings open, wreath in beak, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; scarce; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Andronicus I, September 1183 - 12 September 1185 A.D.
Marchev and Watcher suggest the scarcity of this type my be due to limited or no minting during the Norman siege of Thessalonica.BZ82686. Bronze half tetarteron, DOC IV-1 8; SBCV 1989; Hendy pl. 19, 4; Morrisson BnF - (p. 731); Wroth BMC 17-18; Ratto 2172; Sommer 62.6; CLBC I 5.4.4; Grierson 1115, aVF, green patina, broad irregular flan, flan splits, some minor corrosion, weight 2.700 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, Sep 1183 - 12 Sep 1185 A.D.; obverse facing bust of the Virgin Orans, nimbate, veiled, wearing pallium and maphorium, the nimbate head of the infant Christ on her chest, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: MΗTΗP ΘΕOY - Mother of God) across field; reverse A-N, half-length figure of Andronicus facing with forked beard, wearing crown, scaramangion and sagion, labarum (legionary vexillum standard with monogram of Christ) in left hand, globus cruciger in right hand; from the S. Lindner Collection; rare; SOLD
Judean Kingdom, Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah), 104 - 103 B.C.
 | The block style Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left: YHWD/H (Judah) KHN (priest) GD/WL (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YHWD/MY (Jews). See Reading Judean Coins in NumisWiki. |
Palmyrene-Roman Empire, Aurelian and Vabalathus, c. Nov 270 - Mar 272 A.D.
According to Zosimus, after his defeat, Vaballathus died on the way to Rome. Other sources imply Aurelian allowed Vaballathus and his mother Zenobia to live, but only after they had been marched through the streets of Rome in a triumphal procession. This would have been humiliating, but better than death. This theory is supported by Aurelian's similar treatment of the Tetrici, Tetricus I and Tetricus II of the Gallic Empire, long-time enemies of Rome whom the emperor allowed to retire following their defeat at the Battle of Châlons in 274.RA35037. Billon antoninianus, MER-RIC 3107, RIC V-2 381, BnF XII 1248, Hunter IV 7, Göbl MIR 353a5, Cohen VI 1, SRCV III 11718, Choice gVF, weight 3.646 g, maximum diameter 20.2 mm, die axis 135o, 5th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, Nov 270 - Mar 272 A.D.; obverse IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, E below; reverse VABALATHVS V C R IM D R, laureate, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; SOLD
Trebonianus Gallus, June or July 251 - July or August 253 A.D.
The reverse legend is an error and should read ADVENTVS AVG, announcing the arrival of the emperor.RA85651. Silver antoninianus, cf. RSC IV 2, RIC IV 79, SRCV III 9622 (all with normal ADVENTVS AVG reverse legend), Choice VF, weight 4.568 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 30o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 251 - 252 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, nothing below; reverse ADVNTVS AVG (sic!), Emperor on horseback left, raising right in salute, transverse scepter in left hand, nothing in exergue; scarce; SOLD
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
Page created in 1.578 seconds.
