The Coins that Talk: Introduction to Numismatics

Original author：Museu de Arqueologia Bíblica (MAB)

Original source：https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNgiCsDXKqk

What do ancient coins reveal about the Bible? | Biblical Numismatics at MAB Does the past seem invisible to you? In this video, the Museum of Biblical Archeology (MAB) uses Material Culture to illuminate history. Understand how ancient coins stopped being just money and became documents that reveal everyday life, power and faith in the ancient world. Let's explore the evolution of Numismatics, from the first pieces in Lydia to the use of coins as political propaganda in the Roman Empire. Furthermore, we delve into the context of the New Testament to understand the real meaning of pieces such as the Shekel of Tire, the Lepto and the Denarius of Tiberius. 📚 KEY CONCEPT: What is Numismatics? It is the science that studies coins, medals and banknotes from historical, artistic and economic aspects. In Biblical Archaeology, numismatics is an essential tool for dating archaeological contexts and understanding the culture and politics of Judea and neighboring nations in antiquity. 📍 IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL SEE: Material Culture: Why tangible objects are windows to the past. Numismatic Chronology: The evolution of coins in Lydia, Persia, Greece and Rome. Symbolism and Power: The meaning of animal figures, archers and royal busts. Biblical Archeology: The iconographic analysis of the coins of Judea and Galilee. The Coins of Jesus: The historical context of the widow's offering and tribute to Caesar. 📅 ANCIENT COIN WORKSHOP (IN-PERSON) Do you want to see these pieces up close and learn from experts? 🗓️ Date: April 26th at 10:30 am | May 17th at 10:30 am 🔗 Registration and Information: https://bileto.sympla.com.br/event/103517?share_id=1-copiarlink 🕒 CHAPTERS FOR NAVIGATION: 00:00 History became visible: Material Culture 01:20 What are currencies for archeology? 02:10 The first coins: Lydia and the Electrum 03:05 Persian Coins and the Archer King 04:15 Greek Coins: The union between human and divine 05:30 Roman Coins: Money and political propaganda 06:50 Numismatics in the Biblical Context 07:35 The Shekel of Tire and the purity of silver in the Temple 08:45 The Lepto: A smallest coin and the widow's offering 09:50 "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's": The Denarius of Tiberius 11:10 Conclusion and Invitation MAB Workshop 📚 ACADEMIC REFERENCES (ACCESS TO ARTICLES): This video was produced based on scientific research and specialized bibliography. Access the full works: AYRES, GOB When the divine celebrates the human: religion, politics and power on Roman republican coins. Thesis (Doctorate in History) – UNIRIO, 2017. 🔗 https://www.unirio.br/cchs/ppgh/producao-academica/teses-de-doutorado-e-egressos-pasta/ Quando-o-divino-celebra-o-humano-religiao-politica-e-poder-nas-moedas-republicanas-romanas-139-83-aec MICAEL, S. et al. The iconography of Greek coins from the Ptolemaic period: an analysis based on the MAB/UNASP collection. Clio's Notebooks, v. 15, no. 2, 2025. 🔗 https://revistas.ufpr.br/clio/article/view/99183 PORTO, VC Jewish iconography and the coins of Judea. Lumen et Virtus: culture and image magazine, v. 4, 2013. (USP Repository). 🔗 https://repositorio.usp.br/item/002803347 MONACO, VL Phrourion and coins in central Sicily (6th-3rd Century BCE). Classica-Brazilian Journal of Classical Studies, v. 34, no. 1, 2021. #BiblicalArqueology #Numismatics #AncientHistory #MuseuMAB #BiblicalContext #AncientCoins #Arqueology #Education #UNASP #CulturaMaterial