Category Archives: Jesus Christ on Coins

Haloes on Ancient Coins

By Tyler Rossi for CoinWeek ….. In various forms, the halo is a ubiquitous religious symbol. While most commonly seen in religious contexts such as gracing the head of Christ, a Catholic saint, or perhaps behind the head of the Buddha, the halo has also seeped into our popular culture as the title of the […]

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Emergency Money: A Short History of Siege Coins

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. The issue of siege money is recorded on various occasions in antiquity and the Middle Ages, but its history effectively begins in the late fifteenth century, and the issue of obsidional money accompanies all the great sieges which are such a conspicuous feature of the military history of Europe […]

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Bulgar Slayer: The Coinage of Basil II

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. No lonelier man ever occupied the Byzantine throne – or any other, for that matter. Basil was ugly, dirty, coarse, boorish, totally philistine and almost pathologically mean. He was, in short, profoundly un-Byzantine. And all these things, one suspects, he would have readily admitted. He was not concerned with […]

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Ancient Coin Profiles: Byzantine Empire – Manuel I Aspron Trachy

Overview In 1092 CE, the Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus enacted sweeping coinage reforms. He stopped production of previous denominations and introduced five new ones: the gold hyperpyron (which served as the unit of account for the new money), the electrum aspron trachy, the billon (copper and silver) aspron trachy, the copper tetarteron, and the […]

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Medieval Greek Coins After the Fourth Crusade

By Tyler Rossi for CoinWeek …..   In 1204, Constantinople was sacked during the Fourth Crusade. Less than six months later, Enrico Dandolo, the Doge of Venice; Boniface, the Marquess of Montferrat; Baldwin, Count of Flanders; and Louis I, Count of Blois signed the Partitio terrarum imperii Romaniae. Translated as “The Partition of the lands […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coins – The Anonymous Folles of Byzantium

By Michael T. Shutterly for CoinWeek ….. Imperial Byzantine coinage served both economic and propaganda purposes. The coins routinely identified the reigning emperor or empress by name and title, and usually portrayed the ruler in some vigorous pose that demonstrated power and authority. One great exception was the copper coinage that began to appear circa […]

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“Gross” Medieval European Coins

By Michael T. Shutterly for CoinWeek ….. From the end of the eighth century into the 13th, European coinage consisted primarily of small silver coins typically weighing less–sometimes much less–than 1.5 grams. These coins were generally known by names that were variations of the words “penny” or “denarius”. The average weight of these coins and […]

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The Coins of Medieval Serbia

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. The Balkans produce more history than they can consume. — Attributed to Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965) THE SLAVS BEGAN migrating into southeastern Europe during the chaotic sixth century, interacting – sometimes as adversaries, sometimes as subjects or allies – with the Eastern Roman (“Byzantine”) Empire. By the time of […]

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CoinWeek Podcast #165: Mike Markowitz on Byzantine Coins

The CoinWeek Podcast is brought to you by PCGS. Check out PCGS’ new grading specials and take advantage of an exclusive offer to get a PCGS limited-edition 35th Anniversary Silver PCGS Box. You can also save money on Canadian banknote submissions and coin variety attributions. Visit pcgs.com/ccspecial to learn more. CoinWeek Podcast #165: Mike Markowitz […]

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The Hole Truth: Ancient Coins That Were Pierced

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz ….. Don’t buy damaged coins. They will be impossible to sell. This was some of the best advice I ever got from an experienced collector of ancients. But like most things in classical numismatics, there are exceptions. Ancient coins were sometimes pierced with a hole, to be worn […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Coinage of Trebizond

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. The coinage of Trebizond supplies an instance, not very rare in numismatics, of a currency of great abundance remaining unknown, or practically unknown, to collectors for several centuries (Wroth, lxxiv). “…the coinage of the empire of Trebizond, that Cinderella of the late Byzantine coinage (Bendall, 4).” THE SOUTHERN SHORE […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Last Ancient Coin

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek …..   “What was the last ancient coin?” The question is unanswerable. There was no “last” ancient coin, just as there was no “last” ancient person. Classical antiquity didn’t just stop — it morphed gradually into the medieval world, which morphed, in turn, into what we understand as the modern […]

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Stack’s Bowers to Offer Real Doge Coins of Venice in June Collectors Choice Auction

By Jeremy Bostwick – Senior Numismatist & Cataloger, Stack’s Bowers …… In the news a bit recently, riding the wave of crypto-mania and through the hyping of Elon Musk, Dogecoin has seen great gains as supporters attempt to make it the next bitcoin. The “currency” is based upon a popular meme from the summer of […]

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The Changing Iconography of Byzantine Gold Coins

  By Elena Stolyarik for American Numismatic Society (ANS) …… The Byzantine Empire, which lasted more than a thousand years, had one of the most monetized economies in medieval Europe. The coinage of Byzantium was an essential element of this unique civilization, which preserved Roman law and state structures and inherited not only the Hellenistic […]

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Christianity and Christian Symbols Appear on Ancient Coins

By David Hendin for CoinWeek ….. The cross has been the most recognizable symbol of Christianity for more than 1,600 years. But this was not the case in the first few hundred years after Jesus died. When Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem between around 30 and 33 CE (the exact year is not known), he […]

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Mike Markowitz: Ten Coins I’d Love to Own

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. I collect Late Roman (c. 300-491 CE) and Byzantine (c. 491-1350 CE) gold coins. The tangled histories of these long-dead empires, and the often tragic stories of their rulers, are deeply meaningful to me because I was fortunate to have an inspirational Latin teacher in high school, and some […]

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Ancient Coin Highlights of the Heritage January 2021 NYINC Auction

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. In recent years, Heritage Auctions has become a major player in the ancient coin market. Traditionally in America, the most important ancient coin auctions of the year take place in January, in association with the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC). This year is no exception, even though the […]

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The Coin Analyst Talks to Chiara Principe, Italian Medallic Artist and Sculptor

By Louis Golino for CoinWeek ….. Italian artist Chiara Principe has been designing and sculpting coins and medals for over a decade and has extensive training as an artist and sculptor using traditional and modern methods. Best known for her work on Vatican commemorative coins, she has received international recognition for her many accomplishments. In […]

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NGC Ancients – Collecting Byzantine Coins on a Budget

Excellent examples of Byzantine coins are easily affordable   By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… As we discovered in the previous two columns, the fields of ancient Greek and Roman coins provide the budget-minded collector with opportunities perhaps unequaled in any other area of numismatics. This month we’ll continue the discovery with Byzantine coins, which […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Earliest Russian Coins

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz ….. SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, RUSSIA’S great rivers have served as trade routes, sending Baltic amber, luxury furs, beeswax, honey, and slaves southward in exchange for the wine, silver, silks and fine metalware of the Mediterranean and Islamic civilizations. About the year 860, Riurik[1], a legendary Scandinavian adventurer, was invited by […]

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Crown of Thorns: Second 2019 Scottsdale Mint Biblical Series Silver Coin Now Available

APMEX, Inc. is excited to announce the second 2019 coin release Scottsdale Mint’s famed Biblical Series is now available to order. The Scottsdale Mint Biblical Coin Series highlights stories from the Bible, including the ascension of Christ, the Ten Commandments or David & Goliath. This second release of 2019, and the 26th overall in the […]

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Ascension of Christ: Final Release for 2018 in APMEX Biblical Silver Coin Series

APMEX, Inc., a leading online precious metals retailer based in Oklahoma City, has announced the final 2018 release of Scottsdale Mint’s famed Biblical Series is now available. Introduced in 2015, the Scottsdale Mint Biblical Coin Series highlights stories from The Bible, including the pale horse, the nativity, the three wise men and more. The Ascension […]

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Silver Coin Biblical Series Continues With Temptation of Jesus

APMEX, Inc., a leading online precious metals retailer based in Oklahoma City, has introduced the fifth 2018 release of Scottsdale Mint’s famed Biblical Series. The Scottsdale Mint Biblical Coin Series highlights stories from the Bible, including the chariot of fire, the three wise men, Adam and Eve and more. The Temptation of Jesus, depicting the […]

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Latest Coin in Scottsdale Mint Biblical Series Now Available from APMEX

APMEX, Inc. is pleased to announce the second release of Scottsdale Mint’s famed Biblical Series is now available. In 2015, Arizona-based Scottsdale Mint introduced the first of a new series that features stories from the Bible – both well-known and some of the more obscure. Some of these stories include David and Goliath, the Ten […]

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The Image of Jesus on Ancient Coins

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz …. As with politicians, nothing is more important to gods than image … Perhaps this is the secret of the longevity of the God of Israel, that He never allowed an image of Himself[1]. THE OLD TESTAMENT’S STRICT PROHIBITION of idolatry inhibited the development of religious art in […]

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CoinWeek News Wire for March 31, 2017

By Coinweek ….   CoinWeek News Wire for March 31, 2017 Brain Food 1.) The 300-Year Quest to Make a Foolproof £1 Coin Sir Isaac Newton founded modern physics but struggled to make a coin that couldn’t be counterfeited… 2.) Spearfish woman made her mark at Denver Mint In 1981, Nora Walsh Hussey was appointed […]

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World Coins – A History of the Netherlands Gold Ducat, Part 2: The Standard to Be Followed

By Dariusz F. Jasek ….. Link to Part 1 About a century before the birth of the Netherlands gold ducat, many different gold coins were in circulation in the Low Countries and neighboring lands. Various coin types were usually minted strictly for specific purposes: e.g. goldguldens were usually minted for trade with Germany, while gold […]

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World Coins – A History of the Netherlands Gold Ducat, Part 2: The Standard to Be Followed

By Dariusz F. Jasek ….. Link to Part 1 About a century before the birth of the Netherlands gold ducat, many different gold coins were in circulation in the Low Countries and neighboring lands. Various coin types were usually minted strictly for specific purposes: e.g. goldguldens were usually minted for trade with Germany, while gold […]

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APMEX – The Nativity: 5th Release in 2016 Biblical Series

The Nativity has been announced as the 12th overall Biblical release from Scottsdale Mint and is now available at APMEX   The Scottsdale Mint Biblical Series features well-known stories from the Bible that have been passed down for centuries. This sixth and final coin of 2016 displays The Nativity – the story of Mary, Joseph […]

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APMEX – The Nativity: 6th Release in 2016 Biblical Series

The Nativity has been announced as the 12th overall Biblical release from Scottsdale Mint and is now available at APMEX   The Scottsdale Mint Biblical Series features well-known stories from the Bible that have been passed down for centuries. This sixth and final coin of 2016 displays The Nativity – the story of Mary, Joseph […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Christianization of Roman Coinage

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek…. We speak sometimes of the Roman religion as though it possessed a firm basis, but in fact it was constantly changing, the gods melting away and being replaced by others (Hale, 73). Decline of Paganism BY THE BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH CENTURY CE, the religious life of the Romans was […]

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Bread & Betrayal: The Last Supper – 2nd 2016 Biblical Series Coin Released

The Scottsdale Mint’s Biblical Coin Series pays tribute to the remarkable stories that have captured hearts and souls for centuries. As the second coin of a six-part series coming out in 2016, The Last Supper coin foreshadows one of the most agonizing stories of all — breaking bread with those who break your trust. Cast […]

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Serenissima: Medieval Coinage of Venice

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz…. BETWEEN THE YEARS 1200 and 1600 a handful of feisty Italians created one of the greatest commercial and maritime empires in history. Venetians wrecked the Byzantine state, fought the Ottoman sultans to a standstill, defied a series of Popes and German emperors, and adorned their city with masterpieces […]

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Ancient Coin Profiles: Byzantine Empire – Manuel I Aspron Trachy

Overview: In 1092 CE the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus enacted sweeping coinage reforms. He stopped production of previous denominations and introduced five new ones: the gold hyperpyron (which served as the unit of account for the new money), the electrum aspron trachy, the billon (copper and silver) aspron trachy, the copper tetarteron, and the […]

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The Friedrich Popken and Ernst Otto Horn Collections at Künker Auctions

The Popken and Horn collections are just two of the many highlights of the 2015 Künker Summer Sale. The almost 4,000 lots, their estimates adding up to 5.5 million euros, include numerous rarities from all around the world – from Medieval to Modern Times. Everybody will find his favorite coin when Künker starts its Summer […]

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The Nativity on Coins

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz… The Nativity of Jesus is such a familiar image in visual media–from greeting cards to stained glass windows–that it is startling to discover that it does not appear anywhere in Western art until the fourth century, and – with one unique medallic exception – not on coinage until […]

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