Roman Provincial | Nero | Antioch, Syria | AE20 | 55-56 CE

Description: Nero | AE20 Reference: RPC I 4287; BMC 69–70, McAlee 101 Date: 55-56 CE Obverse: ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ; veiled, turreted, draped bust of the city goddess, right Reverse: ΕΠΙ ΚΟΥΑΔΡΑΤΟΥ; Ram, running right, looking back; above, star and crescent. ΕΤ ΔΡ (Year 104) below Mint: Antioch Size: 20.4 mm Weight: 5.70 grams Note: Struck by Gaius Ummidius Durmius Quadratus for Nero RARE STAR OF BETHLEHEM TYPE. A very fine example of a scarcer, late "Star of Bethlehem" type issued in the mid first century century CE under Nero. The Greek letters ΔΡ stand for the date: Year "Four and One Hundred" of the Caesarian Age --- an Antioch-specific dating system that started when Antioch was made an autonomous city by Julius Caesar after he defeated Pompey during the battle of Pharsalus in the summer of 48 BCE. The general astrological conditions which Molnar identified as the Messianic portent of April 17th, 6 BCE repeated themselves roughly every 60 years. The importance of this highly portentous omen were co-opted by the city of Antioch and incorporated into its municipal coinage. This coin was struck under portentous astrological omens, roughly one astrological cycle after the regal portents of 6 BCE. Unlike at Rome, Nero was extremely popular in the East and achieved divine status to many throughout the region. The astrological event recorded on this coin help to explain why Nero was viewed in this light, and why so many flocked to the three Nero imposters who showed up in the decades after Nero's death in Greece and Syria. Star and Aries types were struck at Antioch until c. 250 CE. It is not often that a single coin type inspires a highly acclaimed, academic book to be written. But this coin did: The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar. Michael Molnar, a now retired Rutgers astronomy and physics professor, asks the question “What got the Magi of the Bible so intrigued that they traveled hundreds of miles to a distant kingdom?”. Many theories have emerged over the years regarding the “Star of Bethlehem”; from Johannes Kepler to biblical scholars today. However, few have approached it from the perspective of the Magi, Hellenistic astrologers from Parthia with little stock in the future king of Judea.After addressing previous theories regarding the Star, Molnar logically lays out his own theory. In a top down approach he whittles the list of possible celestial events down to a conjunction of Jupiter and the Moon in Aries which coincided with many other portentous astrological omens on April 17th, 6 BCE. Interestingly, this date matches incredibly well with historical and biblical information regarding the birth of Jesus. Molnar doesn’t explicitly argue that Jesus must’ve been born on this date, but instead is satisfied with pointing out that this, with very high probability, is what brought the Magi to the court of Herod. The reverse design of this coin sparked Molnar to investigate it's meaning, ultimately leading to the publication of the aforementioned book. The Roman administration in Antioch (the capital city of Roman Syria) began striking the star and Aries types starting in 6 CE to commemorate the formal annexation of Judea and incorporation into Syria following the overthrow of Herod's son Archelaus. This messaging persevered for centuries, finally ending c. 253 CE. The choice of Aries is due to this being the astrological symbol for Judea. As for the star behind Aries, in ancient astrology planets were referred to and depicted as stars. Jupiter was the regal “star” that conferred kingships. Molnar identifies an early morning lunar-Jupiter second occultation on April 17th, 6 BCE when Jupiter was “in the east,” a condition mentioned twice in the biblical account about the Star of Bethlehem. The star on the reverse of the coin is likely an allusion to this celestial event. It is made even more likely by the fact that future issues of this type from the reign of Nero and later Antonine emperors include a moon eclipsing the star. Antioch was an early cradle of Christianity as well as a hotbed of astrological fervor. The officials issuing these coins would've been acutely aware of the highly portentous astrological phenomenon which occurred in Judea only a dozen years before these coins were struck. Centuries later, the Roman astrologer Julius Mirmicus Maternus, confirmed that the conditions of April 17, 6 BCE., were believed to herald the birth of a person with "divine and immortal nature". The choice to include this on the reverse following Judea's annexation might be an attempt to advertise an alternative interpretation of the widely-known portent, and claim the heavens were actually proclaiming the impending dominance of Judea by Syria and not the advent of the Messiah. Policies I apply the highest ethical standards in selling ancient coins. All coins are guaranteed to be genuine and any item found to be otherwise may be returned for a full refund. The most important thing is that you are happy with your new coin(s)! All coins are shipped in PVC-free, archival-grade coin flips and inserts made of acid-free paper Domestic (USA) shipping only If you purchase multiple items please message me before you pay and I will combine the shipping for you. I accept all returns within 30 calendar days upon receipt of the item. No explanation is required for the return, but it would be appreciated. Any item which has been altered from its original state may not be returned. Don't see what you're looking for? Just shoot me a message, I might have it but haven't gotten around to listing it!

Price: 139.99 USD

Location: Canton, Michigan

End Time: 2024-08-09T20:53:27.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.5 USD