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Faces of Power

Faces of Power: Ancient Coins of the Biblical World

Since their inception, coins have been much more than just money. Ancient coins, like today’s currency, symbolize monetary, political, and cultural power. Bearing the identifying image or emblem of the emperor who issued them, coins established his legitimacy as the supreme authority, advertised his image throughout his empire, and broadcasted his greatest accomplishments. Circulating farther and longer than the best newspaper, coins effectively carry their message long after their issuer is gone, connecting us to the rich tapestry of our past.

The Julio-Claudian family was the first imperial dynasty of Rome. Under their rule, Rome reached a new pinnacle of power and prosperity—the Pax Romana. These emperors capitalized on the power of coins to portray an image or transmit an idea. Imperial portraiture on coins made the Julio-Claudians international celebrities. More than mere self-aggrandizement, coin iconography commemorated significant historical events—military victories, building projects, official appointments, death, and deification. Coins became snapshots of history.

Coins tell powerful stories. No one understood this better than Jesus. In stark contrast to the Roman emperors, Jesus used coins to teach the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. The parables Jesus told through coins were more memorable than all of the great accomplishments of Rome. 

The exhibition featured a prominent display of coins from the Persian, Hellenistic/Greek, and Roman periods of antiquity, and was on display from October 2008 to May 2009.

Small assortment of coins from the exhibit.

Augustus Silver Denarius
Tiberius Sliver Denarius
Nero Silver Tetradrachm
Augustus Silver Denarius
Tiberius Sliver Denarius
Nero Silver Tetradrachm

Augustus: The First Emperor (27 BC – AD 14)

Augustus (“the magnificent”) was the first true emperor of Rome. Unlike Caesar, Augustus was able to find a balance between Rome’s republican system of government and the absolute rule of the emperorship. Instead of ‘dictator for life’ he became the princeps (“first citizen”). Augustus’ rule ushered in an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana, or Roman peace. He secured the boundaries of his empire, reformed the Roman system of taxation, and refashioned imperial currency. Jesus’ birth and early childhood took place during Augustus’ rule.

Tiberius: A Reluctant Leader (AD 14 – 37)

In typical Julio-Claudian fashion, Augustus’ successor was also his adoptive son, stepson, and son-in-law. Tiberius was a reserved man who was reluctant to become emperor. His withdrawn nature made him unpopular to both the Senate and the people. Yet his reign was characterized by relative peace and stability. Tiberius continued Augustus’ administrative polices securing the prosperity of the empire. It is during Tiberius’ reign that Jesus’ ministry and crucifixion took place. Most mentions of Caesar in the gospels refer to Tiberius.

Nero: The Death of a Dynasty (AD 54 – 68)

Nero was the fifth and last emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. An extravagant spender and lover of the arts, Nero considered himself an artistic genius. Ancient sources portray him as a depraved tyrant who was enslaved by his passions and incapable of ruling himself or the empire. He murdered half of his family including his mother and siblings. Nero was the first emperor to persecute Christians, blaming them for the Great Fire in AD 64. According to the historian Eusebius, Nero beheaded Paul and had Peter crucified.

Tiberius Denarius (Tribute Penny)

When the New Testament was first translated into English, the penny was a high-value silver coin equivalent to a day's wage and thus a fair translation for a denarius. In fact, the symbol for the penny used to be the letter 'd." This denarius was minted under Tiberius, who issued only one basic type during his 33-year reign.

Tyre Shekel (Temple Shekels)

Judas betrayed Jesus for a bribe of thirty pieces of silver. These pieces of silver were probably temple shekels, four drachma coins from the neighboring city of Tyre. Although Jews minted thier own bronze and copper coins, they had no silver currency and relied on foreign coinage for Temple transactions. Given the choice of using a coin with the image of Caesar or the Phoenician god Melqart (also known as Baal), the Jews of Jesus' day chose Baal over Caesar.

Tyre Silver Half - Shekel

The practice of giving a half - shekel for the Temple goes back to the period after the exile when every Jew was commanded to make a half-shekel donation for the reconstruction of the Temple. By the time of Jesus, the Tyrian didrachma (two-drachma) coin was used for this purpose.

Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BC) (Widow's Mite)

The Greek word lepton (small) is translated into English as "mites," i.e., someting very small. There were 384 leptons in a sliver drachma, the Greek equivalent of the denarius. If a loaf of bread cost one dupondius (one eighth of a denarius), it would have taken 48 leptons to buy a loaf of bread. Thus, two leptons was a very small amount indeed. The coins here were issused by the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BC). They were the most common leptons in circulation during Jesus' time.

Gaius Caligula (AD 37-41) (Sparrow's Penny Copper)

An assarius (or as) was one fourth of a denarius. Sparrows were plentiful in the marketplace and among the least expensive sacrifical offerings. According to Luke 12:6, one could even get five sparrows for two assarii. This assarius was minted during Gaius Caligula's short reign (AD 37-41)