Echoes Of Empires: Coins Of Kings & Scripture

Tue, Mar 10, 2026 @ 12:26 PM - 11:59 PM
Wed, Mar 11, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thu, Mar 12, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Fri, Mar 13, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sat, Mar 14, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sun, Mar 15, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Mon, Mar 16, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tue, Mar 17, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wed, Mar 18, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thu, Mar 19, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Fri, Mar 20, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sat, Mar 21, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sun, Mar 22, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Mon, Mar 23, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tue, Mar 24, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wed, Mar 25, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thu, Mar 26, 2026 @ 12:00 AM - 1:15 PM

This auction presents an expansive collection of ancient coinage spanning over a thousand years of history, from the Greek and Hellenistic periods through the height of Rome, the Jewish world of the Second Temple, and the long twilight of Byzantium. With more than 300 lots across multiple civilizations, denominations, and metals, this sale offers something meaningful for every collector — whether your interest lies in Biblical history, Roman imperial portraiture, provincial coinage, or the transition from antiquity to the medieval world. Pre-Bidding is underway. Submitting a maximum bid today ensures your place is secure when live bidding closes this auction on March 26, 2026 at 1:15 PM ET. The Tyrian Shekel Anchoring the auction is a rare NGC-certified silver shekel of Tyre, graded Very Fine. Due to its consistent silver purity, the Tyrian shekel was the required coin for the annual Temple tax during the Second Temple period, and many scholars identify this type as the most likely candidate for the "thirty pieces of silver" described in Matthew 26:14-15. The obverse features the laureate head of Melkart, while the reverse depicts an eagle standing on a ship's prow, symbolizing Tyre's mercantile power and seafaring legacy. Sassanian Empire Silver Drachms Multiple silver drachms of the Sassanian Empire appear throughout the sale, struck under Khosrau II, Peroz I, and Hormizd IV. The Sassanian Empire stood as one of Rome and Byzantium's great rivals, governing much of the eastern world surrounding the Holy Land. These drachms are recognized for their strong royal portraiture and the Zoroastrian fire altar reverse, flanked by two attendants. Khosrau II drachms depict one of the last and most prominent Sassanian rulers, whose military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire reached deep into Mesopotamia and the Levant. Peroz I drachms were struck during a turbulent period of wars against the Hephthalites, ending with Peroz I's death in battle in 484 AD. Tabaristan A silver hemi-drachm of Tabaristan, minted 771-780 AD, illustrates the dramatic transformation of the Near East following the fall of the Sassanian Empire. Retaining Sassanian stylistic elements while emerging under early Islamic authority, this coin bridges the imperial eras that redefined the lands connected to Scripture and early Christian history. Coins of Roman Judaea This auction contains an exceptional concentration of coins directly connected to the people and events of the New Testament. Bronze prutahs of Pontius Pilate, minted in Jerusalem under Tiberius, feature the lituus and simpulum, Roman symbols adapted to Jewish religious sensitivities. A silver Tribute Penny of Tiberius is associated with the account in Matthew 22:15-22, where Jesus is asked about paying tribute to Caesar. The Widow's Mite, the small bronze prutah of Alexander Jannaeus, represents the lowest denomination in circulation at the time of Christ and is linked to the story in Mark 12:41-44. The sale also includes coins of Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa I, Valerius Gratus, and Porcius Festus, whose name appears in Acts of the Apostles in connection with the trial of the Apostle Paul. Jewish Revolt bronzes from the First Jewish-Roman War round out this section, struck by rebels asserting independence from Rome. Roman Imperial Silver and Bronze A rich selection of Roman coinage spans the full arc of the empire. Silver denarii of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Trajan, Antoninus Pius, Faustina Senior, Julia Domna, Severus Alexander, and Domitian are all represented. Large bronze sestertii and dupondii of Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Claudius, and Septimius Severus offer collectors strong portrait coins at varied price points. An Alexander the Great tetradrachm, Ptolemaic bronzes, and Seleucid coinage round out the Hellenistic offerings, while Celtic and provincial issues add further geographic range. The Star of Bethlehem Coins A group of Roman provincial bronze coins minted in Antioch around 13-14 AD feature the bust of Zeus on the obverse and a ram with a star on the reverse. Struck at the transition from Augustus to Tiberius, these coins have been associated by astronomer Dr. Michael Molnar with a 6 BC astronomical event that may have inspired the biblical Star of Bethlehem. Whether or not one accepts that connection, they are striking pieces of provincial Roman numismatics minted at the very moment of the Nativity period. Byzantine Empire The auction features an extensive Byzantine section spanning five centuries, including folles of Justinian I, Maurice Tiberius, Justin II and Sophia, Romanus IV, Basil II, Anastasius I, and Leo VI. Anonymous folles featuring Christ as "King of Kings" appear among the highlights, as do coins depicting the hand of God descending over Constantine I in a quadriga, an early and powerful fusion of Roman triumph imagery with Christian symbolism. Supplementary Offerings Interspersed throughout the auction are two recurring supplementary lots. The book Coins of the Bible by Arthur L. Friedberg, published by Whitman Publishing, is a 110-page reference covering Biblical coinage from the Widow's Mite to the thirty pieces of silver, offered at an accessible starting bid. Widow's Mite and Roman Nail sets are also available, each pairing a genuine prutah with a hand-forged Roman iron nail from the Inchtuthil legionary fortress hoard, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. A Note for Collectors This auction is significantly broader in scope than a focused silver sale. The offering spans silver, bronze, and copper denominations across Greek, Roman, Jewish, Ptolemaic, Sassanian, Byzantine, and Celtic traditions. Many lots are ungraded, presenting opportunities for collectors who can assess condition independently. Whether your focus is Biblical numismatics, Roman imperial portraiture, or the sweeping history of the ancient Near East, this auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire coins that circulated in some of the most consequential places in human history.