Did you know that coins are one of the best things archaeologists can find?
While they may not hold historical significance, coins can tell us much about the culture, society, and history of ages past based on where they’re found, what’s on them, and what they’re made of.
In the The People of the Land: History and Archaeology of Ancient Israel exhibit on the 5th floor of the Museum of the Bible, you can see several collections of ancient coins on display. Their history, value, representation, and motifs give us fascinating insight into Biblical history.
For example, look at the difference between Jewish and Roman coins. The former features pomegranates or palms to avoid disobeying the 2nd commandment, while the latter enforces Roman’s foreign rule through stamped emperor heads.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- What was the widow’s mite?
- What’s a shekel?
- What do 30 pieces of silver look like?
- What coin features in the Lost Coin parable?
- What did temple currency look like?
You can see all the answers for yourself by visiting this exhibit.
The Museum of the Bible is open daily from 10 am-5 pm. Visit their website for more information and to get your tickets.
