A question about a coin from biblical numismatics

[lim]

I found a coin on sale. In the description, the dealer indicates that the star of Bethlehem is allegedly depicted on this coin. And then there is an article that refutes this. I would like to hear your opinion, does this issue relate to the biblical theme?

Edited December 2, 2024 by lim

[John Conduitt]

Coins are known to feature real stars and comets. They were omens - emperors and kings saw them as symbols of their divinity so put them on their coins. But the Star of Bethlehem? You would have to believe that the Star of Bethlehem was real, that it was a star (or looked like a star) despite moving in an unusual way, and that Augustus put a star associated with Jesus on his coins. And on top of all that, this coin was struck at that time.

[lim]

Augustus, on the contrary, tried to hide this prophecy. He couldn't use money to invent the star of Bethlehem logically.

[lim]

That's why I'm asking.

[kirispupis]

Stars were used all the time on ancient coins for a variety of reasons (many of which we still don't know). Any connection with the Star of Bethlehem is complete advertising drivel designed to increase sales.

FWIW, I have a small collection of stars that I've organized here.

[John Conduitt]

Christianity sells coins at Christmas. Christians can't get enough widow's mites and tribute pennies, and even those are not exactly securely linked to the Bible.

Edited December 2, 2024 by John Conduitt

[lim]

The money of Herod Antipas was and was also the money of Pontius Pilate.

Edited December 2, 2024 by lim

[lim]

Why are they definitely not related to the Bible?There's even a year of minting there.

[Victor_Clark]

 

You can read this article which also has the coin shown by OP --

 

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Star of Bethlehem

 

[kirispupis]

Reading through those articles, I disagree even more that this coin references the Star of Bethlehem. Ancient celestial events were well-known. There are cases where coinage reflects this (Augustus coin referencing Julius Caesar, possibly a major comet connected to Tigranes), but the general case is it's extraordinarily difficult to prove because:

• Celestial events such as comets occurred all the time. Only comets or supernovas with a magnitude greater than 1 were enough to "really cause attention". Even then, connecting these events to coinage is strongly debated.
• There are many other reasons stars occur on coins. They can sometimes mean peace and prosperity. At other times they were official symbols of a city or state (star of Vergina). They can also be minting marks.

Rams are also common designs on ancient coins. It was the symbol of Neandria for example in the 4th century BCE.

Attributing a star on a coin minted in 6 CE to a religion that wasn't proselytized until the 20's is a major stretch.

Of course, when religious connotations are given to a star, then the flood gates open. As a result, it may not be possible to discuss this coin rationally without offending people.

[Sulla80]

Here are a couple relevant links:

The Star of Bethlehem : The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar, 1999

Star of Bethlehem Coins : A Set of Serial Commemoratives by T. B. Cartwright, 2014

Astronomical and Historical Evaluation of Molnar's Solution, Bradley E. Schaefer, Louisiana State University

[seth77]

This situation is similar to "Templar coins" where every medieval (and later) coin with a cross on it is advertised as "Templar" because it has a "Templar cross". I find this type of advertising in the same zip code as fraud.

[LONGINUS]

Beautiful coin, lim, thank you for posting it!

I’ve read interesting articles on both sides of the discussion. Here’s mine.

Edited December 6, 2024 by LONGINUS

[Al Kowsky]

On 12/2/2024 at 6:42 PM, Victor_Clark said:

 

You can read this article which also has the coin shown by OP --

 

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Star of Bethlehem

 

Thanks for the link, it was a great read 🤩.