Coins of the Biblical World
In the CARE Winnipeg Museum
by Murray Hiebert
Alexander Jannaeus (Hasmonean King, 103-76 BC)
Date minted: c. 79 BC?
Mint: Jerusalem
Denomination: Lepton (pl. Lepta)
Language: Greek and Aramaic
Inscription: 
(King Alexander) and L KE (year 25) around anchor and "King Alexander year 25" in Aramaic around the star (mostly illegible).
Decoration: Anchor in a circle on one side and an eight-pointed star in a diadem on the other [Hendin 471 or 472].
This coin is often called the 'Widow's Mite' because of its mention in Luke 21:1-4 as being the poor widow's offering. The lepton was the smallest denomination.
These coins were mass produced and were still in circulation during the time of Jesus, over 100 years after they had been produced. Its irregular shape is a result of the way these coins were made. Shallow round depressions were carved into a flat rock and connected to each other by a channel. The molten bronze was poured in, filling the depressions and the channel. The flans (blank coins) were then removed and cut apart. Many of these coins still show protrusions from the excess metal in the channel (such as our example above).
John Hyrcanus (High Priest, 67 BC, Ethnarch (Roman subject), 63-40 BC)
Date minted: na
Mint: Jerusalem
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Ancient Hebrew
Inscription: "Yonatan, the High Priest and the council of the Jews"
Decoration: Double cornucopia on the front and a wreath with inscription on the back [Hendin 478 variety].
Though not mentioned in the New Testament, John Hyrcanus was the grandfather of Herod the Great's wife Mariamne. He was executed by Herod in 30 BC.
Herod the Great (King of the Jews, 37-4 BC)
Date minted: na
Mint: Jerusalem
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Greek
Inscription: 
(King Herod) on the anchor side (illegible)
Decoration: Double cornucopia on one side and an anchor on the other (traditional Hasmonean motifs), listed as [Hendin 500 variety].
Herod enjoyed the friendship of his Roman overlords as well as his great wealth. He carried out many building projects, foremost among them the renovation and expansion of the temple in Jerusalem. His suspicious mind drove him to execute the survivors of the Hasmonean dynasty, among them his own wife and their sons. Herod was the ruling king at the time of the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2).
Pontius Pilate (procurator of Judea, 26-36 AD)
Date minted: 29 AD
Mint: Caesarea (some say Jerusalem)
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Greek
Inscription: TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC (Of Tiberius Emperor) on the front and IOYLIA KAICAPOC (Empress Julia) on the back. It also has the date LIS, meaning year 16 of Tiberius, now reckoned 29 AD.
Decoration: On the front is a simpulum (pagan cultic ladle for anointing sacrifices). The back shows three ears of barley [Hendin 648 variety].
Date minted: 30 AD
Mint: Caesarea (some say Jerusalem)
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Greek
Inscription: TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC (Of Tiberius Emperor) on the front. The date LIZ is in the wreath on the back, meaning year 17 of Tiberius, now reckoned 30 AD.
Decoration: On the front is a lituus (pagan priestly staff). A laurel wreath (symbol of victory) frames the date on the back [Hendin 649 variety].
Other: This particular coin bears a counterstrike (later punch-impression) above the lituus. Only 18 other known coins of Pilate have counterstrikes. Like those others, this one has a palm branch (the 'skeletal' image). Unlike the others this one appears to bear a Roman numeral 'V' on it, making it unique and possibly the only of its type in the world. The 'V' may designate the Fifth Roman Legion (Legio V Macedonia) which was stationed in Syria-Palestina on the eve of the first Jewish Revolt (66 AD).
The significance of these coins to New Testament history is obvious. Pilate interviewed Jesus and authorized his crucifixion. Their date is also significant. Both of these coins were minted during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist had begun to preach in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1-3).
Pilate's use of pagan images on his coins shows us his blatant disregard for Jewish beliefs. The other Roman prefects before him had been careful to use only palm trees and branches on their coins so as not to offend their subjects. History tells us that Pilate was often a brutal ruler and, it would seem, even his coins show us that he was not afraid to provoke the Jews.
Herod Agrippa I (37-44 AD)
Date minted: 41-42 AD
Mint: Jerusalem
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Greek
Inscription: 
BACI
EWC (King Agrippa) on the front, L - 
(year 6) on the back.
Decoration: The front depicts an umbrella canopy with fringes (a royal symbol). The back shows three ears of barley growing out of two leaves [Hendin 553 variety].
Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great. At the height of his power in 41 AD he controlled parts of southern Syria, Galilee, Perea, Judea and Samaria. He was well-accepted by his subjects and pleased them by coming down hard on the early Christian community.
Agrippa (called 'King Herod' in the New Testament) had James, the brother of John, killed and arrested Peter (Acts 12:1-4). Acts 12:19-23 records Agrippa's death and that it was his pride that led him being struck down by the angel of the Lord.
Porcius Festus (procurator of Judea, 59-62 AD)
Date minted: 59 AD
Mint: Caesarea
Denomination: Prutah
Language: Greek
Inscription: KIACAPOC (Caesar) and LE (year 5) on the front and NEP WNO C (Nero) on the back.
Decoration: Date palm branch on the front and a wreath framing Nero's name on the back [Hendin 653 variety].
Festus figures prominently in Acts 25 and 26. He 'inherited' the prisoner Paul from his predecessor. His attempts to put Paul on trial were stalled when Paul appealed to Caesar. Because Festus did not know what to say to Nero about the charges, he had Paul interviewed by Herod Agippa II. In the end Paul was sent to Rome.
Constantine 'the Great' (Roman Emperor, 307-337 AD)
Date minted: 330-335 AD
Mint: na
Denomination: Follis
Language: Latin
Inscription: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG on the front and GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS on the back.
Decoration: Bust of the emperor on the front with diadem. Back shows two soldiers with spears and leaning on shields flanking two standards.
Constantine is known as the first Christian Emperor. He reportedly saw a vision before the battle of the Milvian Bridge (312 AD) in which he saw the "Chi Rho" symbol in the sun and the words "By this sign you shall conquer" around it. After placing the Chi Rho symbol of Christianity on the shields of his army they were victorious over the forces of emperor Maxentius and he took control of the whole empire. He then moved the capital of the empire to Constantinople.
Constantine converted to Christianity and he made it legal to be a Christian throughout the Roman Empire (the Edict of Milan). He also oversaw the Council of Nicaea where many of the doctrines of the church were defined. This act essentially laid the foundations for the Roman Catholic Church. The powerful political position that this gave the Christian church is perhaps the worst thing that ever has happened to Christianity.