Reading Our Past From Ancient Coins
Dentuck
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from the November 2008 Whitman Review:
Money of the Bible: Reading Our Ancient Past from Coins
by Paul Rynearson
Dr. Paul Rynearson, author of Whitman’s Collecting Ancient Greek Coins, wrote this review of Kenneth Bressett’s award-winning Money of the Bible.
While Clio, the muse of history, reads our past from a scroll, Ken Bressett’s Money of the Bible chronicles the past from coins of the ancient marketplace. The focal point is the Bible, with coins narrating their pertinent Biblical quotations. Spanning 2,000 years of numismatic history, from archaic Greek drachms to medieval denars, this reference makes coins come alive, visually expanding Biblical texts, while the myriad of beautiful photographs of historical places and artifacts make the words resonate in our hearts. You will discover fascination on every page.
Ken Bressett autographing copies of Money of the Bible.
Ancient coins are highly touchable storytellers—miniature time capsules. When we decipher their inscriptions, we begin learning their language. When we study their symbolism, we start to uncover their secrets. When we attempt to duplicate their manufacture, we admire their creativity. All these elements, and more, comprise the world of numismatics.
Opening this captivating book, readers will immediately be enthralled by the diversity of ancient coinage. Some were crudely minted, while others bespeak a timeless artistry. It will quickly become evident that Greek coins are the most varied and Roman ones the most standardized. This reflects the individuality and community-oriented life of the Greeks, versus the practicality of the Romans and the vastness of their empire.
Tetradrachm of Tyre
Christ’s life is witnessed through coinage, with glorious enlargements of examples from an advanced collection. There are photos of silver denarii of the Roman emperor Augustus minted around the time of the Nativity, bronzes that were exchanged for the necessities of life, as well as highly valued gold. Portrait coins of first-century Rome are highlighted, along with the famous types identified as the “Tribute Penny” and the 30 shekels paid to Judas Iscariot for the betrayal of Christ. Dated bronzes struck under the procurator Pontius Pilate are included, which were minted near the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus. This rich panorama is presented in a unique and engaging manner.
Jewish coinage struck during the revolts against Rome are well represented, including the charismatic shekels of the Jewish War and the overstruck coinage of the Bar Kochba War. Mr. Bressett broadens the historical scope by including portraits of Christ on the coins of the Christian rulers of the Byzantine Empire, and continues with medieval and modern coin types relevant to the Bible.
Silver denarius of Emperor Augustus
Coins are mirrors of how people see themselves, and reflect every aspect of their times: religion, language, economy, symbolism, technology, politics, art. Thanks to Ken Bressett’s knowledge and devotion to all phases of numismatics, and to Whitman Publishing’s eminence in production, Money of the Bible has established itself as a most valuable reference and sumptuous art book dedicated to both numismatics and Biblical studies.
Paul Rynearson has been a professional numismatist since 1967, and has authored books and articles on many phases of coinage. He enjoys assisting his clients to form coin collections with aesthetic appeal and historical significance, while his expertise and scholarship have been in demand by many major numismatic firms and museums. He is the author of Whitman Publishing’s Collecting Ancient Greek Coins: A Guided Tour Featuring 25 Significant Types.
Money of the Bible: Reading Our Ancient Past from Coins
by Paul RynearsonDr. Paul Rynearson, author of Whitman’s Collecting Ancient Greek Coins, wrote this review of Kenneth Bressett’s award-winning Money of the Bible.
While Clio, the muse of history, reads our past from a scroll, Ken Bressett’s Money of the Bible chronicles the past from coins of the ancient marketplace. The focal point is the Bible, with coins narrating their pertinent Biblical quotations. Spanning 2,000 years of numismatic history, from archaic Greek drachms to medieval denars, this reference makes coins come alive, visually expanding Biblical texts, while the myriad of beautiful photographs of historical places and artifacts make the words resonate in our hearts. You will discover fascination on every page.
Ken Bressett autographing copies of Money of the Bible.
Ancient coins are highly touchable storytellers—miniature time capsules. When we decipher their inscriptions, we begin learning their language. When we study their symbolism, we start to uncover their secrets. When we attempt to duplicate their manufacture, we admire their creativity. All these elements, and more, comprise the world of numismatics.
Opening this captivating book, readers will immediately be enthralled by the diversity of ancient coinage. Some were crudely minted, while others bespeak a timeless artistry. It will quickly become evident that Greek coins are the most varied and Roman ones the most standardized. This reflects the individuality and community-oriented life of the Greeks, versus the practicality of the Romans and the vastness of their empire.
Tetradrachm of Tyre
Christ’s life is witnessed through coinage, with glorious enlargements of examples from an advanced collection. There are photos of silver denarii of the Roman emperor Augustus minted around the time of the Nativity, bronzes that were exchanged for the necessities of life, as well as highly valued gold. Portrait coins of first-century Rome are highlighted, along with the famous types identified as the “Tribute Penny” and the 30 shekels paid to Judas Iscariot for the betrayal of Christ. Dated bronzes struck under the procurator Pontius Pilate are included, which were minted near the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus. This rich panorama is presented in a unique and engaging manner.
Jewish coinage struck during the revolts against Rome are well represented, including the charismatic shekels of the Jewish War and the overstruck coinage of the Bar Kochba War. Mr. Bressett broadens the historical scope by including portraits of Christ on the coins of the Christian rulers of the Byzantine Empire, and continues with medieval and modern coin types relevant to the Bible.
Silver denarius of Emperor Augustus
Coins are mirrors of how people see themselves, and reflect every aspect of their times: religion, language, economy, symbolism, technology, politics, art. Thanks to Ken Bressett’s knowledge and devotion to all phases of numismatics, and to Whitman Publishing’s eminence in production, Money of the Bible has established itself as a most valuable reference and sumptuous art book dedicated to both numismatics and Biblical studies.
Paul Rynearson has been a professional numismatist since 1967, and has authored books and articles on many phases of coinage. He enjoys assisting his clients to form coin collections with aesthetic appeal and historical significance, while his expertise and scholarship have been in demand by many major numismatic firms and museums. He is the author of Whitman Publishing’s Collecting Ancient Greek Coins: A Guided Tour Featuring 25 Significant Types.
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I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.