While Alexander the Great was forging his vast kingdom in the east, the Romans had been expanding in the west and now began making inroads for Greece. They found willing  More »

While Alexander the Great was forging his vast kingdom in the east, the Romans had been expanding in the west and now began making inroads for Greece. They found willing allies in Pergamum and Rhodes, who feared Syrian and Macedonian expansionism. The Romans defeated the Seleucid king, Antiochus III, in a three-year campaign and in 189 B.C. gave all of Asia Minor to Pergamum. Several wars were needed to subjugate Macedon, but in 168 B.C. Macedon lost the decisive Battle of Pydnaa and was turned into a Roman province 20 years later. Under Roman rule, the region’s economy was controlled by the quaestor, any of various public officials responsible for finance and administration in several areas of government and the military in ancient Rome. Aesillas, the quaestor under whom this coin was minted, clearly manipulated his influence into a position of power symbolized by this coin. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This magnificent coin is a memorial recording the Roman domination of Macedon, once the home of Alexander the Great’s vast empire, passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.4204)   « Less

Obverse: Helmeted Head of the Goddess Athena. Reverse: Owl Standing Right with Olive Sprig to the Left, Aramaic Letter "Ayin" Beneath - (C.7616)

Obverse: Helmeted Head of the Goddess Athena. Reverse: Owl Standing Right with Olive Sprig to the Left, Aramaic Letter "Ayin" Beneath - (C.7616)   « Less

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage  More »

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage rose to become the dominant mercantile and naval power of the Western Mediterranean, expanding from their base in North Africa to the coast of southern Spain, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily. With a relatively small population of Phoenician ancestry, Carthage heavily relied upon mercenaries to fight their war that inevitably erupted as their influence grew. As Carthaginian settlements in western Sicily began to spread eastwards, they encountered the Greek cities on the island, resulting in intermittent wars as the Greeks and Carthaginians battled for control of the strategic island. Initially, Carthage allied themselves with the burgeoning power of Rome, who sought to limit the Greek presence in Southern Italy. Eventually, Rome and Carthage became bitter rivals, engaging in a series of battles known as the Punic Wars that culminated in the complete destruction of Carthage in 146 B.C. Carthaginian coinage was first minted at the end of the 5th century B.C., most likely in order to pay their mercenary forces. As such, it is believed that the coins were minted in Sicily and directly distributed to the soldiers. While the earliest coinage imitates the style of those minted by the Greek cities of Sicily, namely Syracuse, as Carthaginian coinage developed over the centuries it began to exhibit a uniquely Punic style. Typical features found on Carthaginian coinage include the head of the Goddess Tanit, a horse, and a palm tree. In the mid to late 4th century B.C., Carthaginian authorities minted a series of Attic-weight tetradrachms, likely to pay mercenaries. The last type of this series were based on the coinage of Alexander the Great, depicting the head of Herakles on the obverse, whom the Carthaginians identified with their deity Melqart. The reverse showed the head of a horse and a palm tree along with legends reading either “MMHNT” (meaning “people of the camp”) or “MHSBM” (meaning “the Quaestors”). The first legend suggests the coins were not minted in a specific location, but rather in moving mints that followed the army. The second legend likely refers to at least two different military authorities responsible for the coinage. - (C.4151)   « Less

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage  More »

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage rose to become the dominant mercantile and naval power of the Western Mediterranean, expanding from their base in North Africa to the coast of southern Spain, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily. With a relatively small population of Phoenician ancestry, Carthage heavily relied upon mercenaries to fight their war that inevitably erupted as their influence grew. As Carthaginian settlements in western Sicily began to spread eastwards, they encountered the Greek cities on the island, resulting in intermittent wars as the Greeks and Carthaginians battled for control of the strategic island. Initially, Carthage allied themselves with the burgeoning power of Rome, who sought to limit the Greek presence in Southern Italy. Eventually, Rome and Carthage became bitter rivals, engaging in a series of battles known as the Punic Wars that culminated in the complete destruction of Carthage in 146 B.C. Carthaginian coinage was first minted at the end of the 5th century B.C., most likely in order to pay their mercenary forces. As such, it is believed that the coins were minted in Sicily and directly distributed to the soldiers. While the earliest coinage imitates the style of those minted by the Greek cities of Sicily, namely Syracuse, as Carthaginian coinage developed over the centuries it began to exhibit a uniquely Punic style. Typical features found on Carthaginian coinage include the head of the Goddess Tanit, a horse, and a palm tree. In the mid to late 4th century B.C., Carthaginian authorities minted a series of Attic-weight tetradrachms, likely to pay mercenaries. The last type of this series were based on the coinage of Alexander the Great, depicting the head of Herakles on the obverse, whom the Carthaginians identified with their deity Melqart. The reverse showed the head of a horse and a palm tree along with legends reading either “MMHNT” (meaning “people of the camp”) or “MHSBM” (meaning “the Quaestors”). The first legend suggests the coins were not minted in a specific location, but rather in moving mints that followed the army. The second legend likely refers to at least two different military authorities responsible for the coinage. - (C.7662)   « Less

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage  More »

The legendary city of Carthage was founded on the shores of what is today the nation of Tunisia by Phoenicians colonists from Tyre. From these humble beginnings, Carthage rose to become the dominant mercantile and naval power of the Western Mediterranean, expanding from their base in North Africa to the coast of southern Spain, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily. With a relatively small population of Phoenician ancestry, Carthage heavily relied upon mercenaries to fight their war that inevitably erupted as their influence grew. As Carthaginian settlements in western Sicily began to spread eastwards, they encountered the Greek cities on the island, resulting in intermittent wars as the Greeks and Carthaginians battled for control of the strategic island. Initially, Carthage allied themselves with the burgeoning power of Rome, who sought to limit the Greek presence in Southern Italy. Eventually, Rome and Carthage became bitter rivals, engaging in a series of battles known as the Punic Wars that culminated in the complete destruction of Carthage in 146 B.C. Carthaginian coinage was first minted at the end of the 5th century B.C., most likely in order to pay their mercenary forces. As such, it is believed that the coins were minted in Sicily and directly distributed to the soldiers. While the earliest coinage imitates the style of those minted by the Greek cities of Sicily, namely Syracuse, as Carthaginian coinage developed over the centuries it began to exhibit a uniquely Punic style. Typical features found on Carthaginian coinage include the head of the Goddess Tanit, a horse, and a palm tree. In the mid to late 4th century B.C., Carthaginian authorities minted a series of Attic-weight tetradrachms, likely to pay mercenaries. The last type of this series were based on the coinage of Alexander the Great, depicting the head of Herakles on the obverse, whom the Carthaginians identified with their deity Melqart. The reverse showed the head of a horse and a palm tree along with legends reading either “MMHNT” (meaning “people of the camp”) or “MHSBM” (meaning “the Quaestors”). The first legend suggests the coins were not minted in a specific location, but rather in moving mints that followed the army. The second legend likely refers to at least two different military authorities responsible for the coinage. - (C.7670)   « Less

Bronze Tetradrach of Alexander The Great - C.4155 Origin: Mediteranean Collection: Greek Coins Style: Tetradrahm Medium: Bronze

Bronze Tetradrach of Alexander The Great - C.4155 Origin: Mediteranean Collection: Greek Coins Style: Tetradrahm Medium: Bronze   « Less

Thracian Silver Tetradrachm of Abdera - C.7567. Origin: Mediterranean Collection: Numismatics Style: Thracian Medium: Silver

Thracian Silver Tetradrachm of Abdera - C.7567. Origin: Mediterranean Collection: Numismatics Style: Thracian Medium: Silver   « Less

Silver Ptolemaic Coin - C.7658 Origin: Egypt Collection: Greek Coins Style: Greco-Egyptian Medium: Silver

Silver Ptolemaic Coin - C.7658 Origin: Egypt Collection: Greek Coins Style: Greco-Egyptian Medium: Silver   « Less

After the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish High Priesthood lost its center and authority. But the dream of rebuilding the Temple still smoldered. Sixty-two years after  More »

After the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish High Priesthood lost its center and authority. But the dream of rebuilding the Temple still smoldered. Sixty-two years after the Temple perished in flames, the Roman Emperor Hadrian proposed to build a new city on the site of Jerusalem, including a magnificent new temple dedicated to Jupiter on the site of the former Jewish temple. Hadrian's plans fanned this dream back to flame, and rebellion flared up. Simon Bar Kochba, a Jewish leader of massive physical strength (whom many believed to be the Messiah), rallied the Jews. Caught by surprise, the Roman forces in the region were defeated. Jerusalem and its surrounding area were once again under control of the Jews. A glorious series of coinage was minted by the Jews, containing legends proclaiming the "Freedom of Israel". These coins were usually struck over the top of an existing coin, and you can often make out the remnants of the old design under the new. But the concentrated might of the Romans was brought to bear on the region, and it became clear that Rome would eventually prevail. The rebellion was ultimately crushed, and Simon Bar Kochba was captured by the Romans, who executed him shortly thereafter. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural details that are often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. The struggle of the Jewish people to rule their homeland, as represented by this coin, has finally come to an end in modern times. This coin reconnects us with the past, with those who fought and struggled for their freedom against an oppressive empire almost two thousand year ago. - (C.391)   « Less

Herod the Great ruled Judea from 37-4 B.C. He was a superb military leader who secured control of the region under the graces of Rome. A skilled builder, Herod completely  More »

Herod the Great ruled Judea from 37-4 B.C. He was a superb military leader who secured control of the region under the graces of Rome. A skilled builder, Herod completely remodeled the Jerusalem Temple, designed Caesarea and other cities, and built palaces at Jerusalem, Masada, and other places. Although other rulers might be remembered foremost for these building ruins, Herod is most often associated with being King during the time of Jesus Christ’s birth. Jewish and Christian traditions portray Herod as a tyrant, primarily for over-taxation and ordering the Massacre of the Innocents. However, it is unlikely that such an event ever took place considering that such an order would have required the explicit approval of Rome and that Rome would not support an order likely to incite rebellion and revolt. This prophetic myth instead reflects Herod’s obsessive paranoia and fear of conspirators that often afflicts those in possession of great power. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This ancient coin is a memorial to the great King Herod, King of the Jews, passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.0439)   « Less