Silver tetradrachm of Athens, 420 BCE
Silver tetradrachm of Athens, 420 BCE
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Obverse: head of Athena
Obverse: head of Athena
As tutelary goddess of Athens, Athena's head appeared on Athens' coinage for many years.
Reverse: owl stalking right; olive twig upper left
Reverse: owl stalking right; olive twig upper left
Legend: ΑΘΕ (abbreviation of "Athens"); these coins were so ubiquitous and emblematic that they are simply known as "owls"
Silver denarius of Rome, struck by Julius Caesar, 47-46 BCE
Silver denarius of Rome, struck by Julius Caesar, 47-46 BCE
Obverse: head of Venus
Obverse: head of Venus
Caesar was pleased to think--or wanted his subjects to think--that he could trace his lineage back to the goddess Venus; but Venus Victrix ("conquering Venus") was also reported to be the password used during the Battle of Pharsalus, when Caesar defeated the Republican champions Brutus and Cassius.
Reverse: Aeneas, carrying his father Anchises and the Palladium, rescued from Troy.
Reverse: Aeneas, carrying his father Anchises and the Palladium, rescued from Troy.
Legend: CAESAR. The coin suggests Caesar's desire to appropriate Aeneas' epithet pius, i.e. "righteous" or "dutiful."
Silver denarius, from a mint moving with M. Antony, 32-31 BCE
Silver denarius, from a mint moving with M. Antony, 32-31 BCE
Obverse: warship; scepter tied with fillet
Obverse: warship; scepter tied with fillet
Legend: ANT(ONIUS) AUG(UR) top; III VIR R(EI) P(UBLICAE) C(ONSTITUENDAE) = "triumvir for the purpose of restoring the Republic"
Antony needed troops and sailors to meet the forces of Octavian and Agrippa; that meant that he needed money to pay them. In desperation, he devalued his silver coinage (reduced its purity), which meant that these coins, of which he struck many thousands, remained long in circulation, appearing as far afield as England.
Reverse: legionary eagle between two standards.
Reverse: legionary eagle between two standards.
Legend: LEG(IONIS) III = 3rd Legion
Judean 1/8 shekel, 69-70 CE
Judean 1/8 shekel, 69-70 CE
Obverse:
Obverse:
Chalice. Legend: "To the redemption of Israel"
Reverse:
Reverse:
Lulav with two etrogs. Legend: "Year 4"
Bronze coin of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BCE), struck in Antioch
Bronze coin of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BCE), struck in Antioch
(part of the 2014 gift of Eric P. Newman ['28])
Obverse:
Obverse:
Head of Isis r., wreathed with grain, crown atop fillet
Reverse:
Reverse:
Eagle, gripping thunderbold in talons
Legend (right to left, reading down):
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ
([of] King Antiochus, God Illustrious)
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