Biblical Coins

DesertRat

Can you tell me a good source for inexpensive starter coins relating to various Biblical time frames, say 600 B.C. to 70 A.D. ?

I'd like to start a set of Mid-east, Roman, Greek coins from these times but am not able to spend a lot at this point.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

dcamp78

You might want to try uncleaned coins from that time era.
The last lot I purchased cost about $1.10 per coin.

I have some ancients that I haven't finished cleaning yet.
If I have any duplicates, I'll let you know.

lordmarcovan

Most of the bronzes you'll get in uncleaned lots are gonna be much later than the time period he wants (i.e. mostly 4th century, so about 300 years too new).

Have you browsed the Civitas website?

bidask

There is an author of a book on Biblical coinage and considered an expert. His last name is Hendin, I think first name David. You might want to google.

DesertRat

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look for the book and check out Civitas as well.

Danny

DesertRat

<< <i>There is an author of a book on Biblical coinage and considered an expert. His last name is Hendin, I think first name David. You might want to google. >>




I checked out the book by David Hendin on Biblical coins. It is $245.00 used!!!!

I wonder if my local library can get it

bidask

<< <i>

<< <i>There is an author of a book on Biblical coinage and considered an expert. His last name is Hendin, I think first name David. You might want to google. >>




I checked out the book by David Hendin on Biblical coins. It is $245.00 used!!!!

I wonder if my local library can get it >>

Call the author and see if he can sell you a copy cheaper.

AuldFartte

<< <i>

<< <i>There is an author of a book on Biblical coinage and considered an expert. His last name is Hendin, I think first name David. You might want to google. >>




I checked out the book by David Hendin on Biblical coins. It is $245.00 used!!!!

I wonder if my local library can get it >>



I got one brand new for something like $60, so just wait 'til a better deal comes along.

shirohniichan

I got this one (prutah of Porcius Festus) yesterday:




If I can find a coin from Antonius Felix and one from Pontius Pilate at a reasonable price, I wouldn't mind making a set of Judean procurators.

DesertRat

Nice one shirohniichan

Since i'm still learning, can you tell me more about the coin please?

MrEureka

$65 here.

shirohniichan

<< <i>Nice one shirohniichan

Since i'm still learning, can you tell me more about the coin please? >>



All I know is that the prutah is a small bronze piece (about the size of a half dime) struck in AD 58. That's the same year Porcius Festus told Paul to go to Jerusalem for trial, though he appealed to Caesar because he heard of the plot to assassinate him en route.

DesertRat

<< <i>$65 here. >>



Ordered
Thanks Andy.

Aethelred

That book by David Hendin is great, a must have book really! Hendin also sells coins, so it might not be a bad idea to look him up and ask for a catalog.

DesertRat

<< <i>That book by David Hendin is great, a must have book really! Hendin also sells coins, so it might not be a bad idea to look him up and ask for a catalog. >>




I'll have to do that. Thanks

I was shocked when I looked up that book on Amazon and it was $245.00!

$65.00 is much better.

Dentuck

This summer Whitman Publishing will release the 2nd edition of Ken Bressett's Money of the Bible. Here's an article about the 1st edition, from late 2005.



BRESSETT’S MONEY OF THE BIBLE A BEST SELLER

Money and coins are mentioned many times, and in many places, in the Old and New Testaments. To the casual reader, these might sound like abstract or symbolic references, but to numismatists, they tell stories with deep significance. Coins give us a running commentary on biblical events in a way that no other artifacts can supply.

“No fewer than 16 of the 40 parables preached by Jesus mention coins or money,” said author and historian Kenneth Bressett, who has extensively studied ancient and world coins. Bressett is perhaps best known as the longtime editor of Whitman Publishing’s annual Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”), but he has also researched and written about ancient Greek and Roman coins, among other topics. He presented the story of “Money of the Bible” at the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Atlanta Expo in October [2005].

“Coins touched the lives of nearly everyone thousands of years ago, just as they do today,” said Bressett. “At a time when there were no other means of mass communication, coins served as the newspapers of the day. They spread the word about kings, emperors, wars, and current events. The images on ancient coins carried messages that educated and informed those who came in contact with them.”

Expo visitors who attended Bressett’s presentation received a free copy of his latest title, Money of the Bible, a full-color coffee-table book. The author also displayed examples of Bible-related coins from his personal collection, including a Widow’s Mite, shekels that were changed in the Temple, a Tribute Penny, and a tetradrachm—a coin of the type paid to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus.

Bressett’s new book proved popular at the three-day show. “Money of the Bible was our best seller at the Expo,” said Dawn Burbank, Whitman’s director of specialty accounts. “It’s a beautiful book. We had people getting multiple copies for Christmas presents.”

“Ken is a wonderful storyteller,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “His work is scholarly, and goes into detailed depth, but it’s also very accessible for beginning collectors. The photographs in Money of the Bible are high-resolution enlargements of pieces from his own collection. It’s one thing to read about these ancient coins; it’s quite another experience to actually see them up close.”

Bressett has authored or edited more than a dozen numismatic books. He is the editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins, popularly known as the Red Book—at more than 21 million copies, one of the best-selling nonfiction titles of all time. As a former consultant to the United States Mint, he was instrumental in originating the 50 State Quarters Program, and in selecting many of the coins’ reverse designs.

Aethelred

I have been buying a few artifacts from ancient Judaea as well, neat time period to collect!