Years ago I corresponded by postal mail with a collector who collected coins from cities that St. Paul visited. I don't collect that theme, but I think he would have liked this coin which was minted only three years before Paul arrived in Ephesus: Claudius (41-54) and Agrippina Jr. 26 mm. 10.28 grams. A silver cistophorus, struck at Ephesus in Asia Minor, AD 51, according to RPC. TI CLAVD CAES AVG AGRIPP AVGVSTA Their busts jugate left DIANA EPHESIA, cult stature of Diana standing (arms with thin supports) RIC I Claudius 119. RPC 2224 (it is in both RIC and PRC). Sear I 1888. You can find websites that give Paul's itinerary such as this one: https://matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html It says "Then Paul arrives at Ephesus where he stayed for 3 years (Acts 20:31) probably from the fall of 54 AD to the fall of 57 AD." So this coin (from AD 51) was probably circulating there when Paul was in residence. He would not have liked the reverse image, the famous cult image of Diana of Ephesus, which he railed against. I quote some of the King James version Acts 19 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. ------------------------- Show us anything related!
That is a GORGEOUS cistophorus, @Valentinian ! What an acquisition for your collection! For those interested in coinage related to Paul and his travels, I recommend this book: Here's a Claudius and Agrippina: Claudius and Agrippina II. Roman provincial Æ 12 Nummia, 9.30 gm; 25.0 mm. Bosporos, under King Kotys I, AD 50-54. Obv: ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΥ ΚΑΙCΑΡΟC, laureate head of Claudius, right. Rev: ΙΟΥΛΙΑΝ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΙΝΑΝ CΕΒΑCΤΗΝ, head of Agrippina II, left, in loop ponytail; BAK before. Refs: SGI 5438; RPC 1925; BMC 13.52,7; Anokhin Bosporus 348; SNG Copenhagen 31.
Thanks for the post, @Valentinian! I need to get my hands on that book, thanks for posting it, @Roman Collector! Erin
I purchased the tetradrachm below for the exact same Paul connection. This type shows not only the cult figure statue, but also the temple in which it stood. Directly related, here is the verse that concludes the passage shared in the OP: v.35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?” The Roman (Provincial) Empire Claudius, 41–54 AD, Cistophoric AR Tetradrachm Mint: Ephesus, 41-42 AD. Obv.: TI CLAVD – CAES AVG; Bare head, left. Rev.: DIAN – EPHE; Frontal view of tetrastyle Temple of Diana at Ephesus, her cult statue within with fillets hanging from her wrists, polos on her head; the temple stands on a podium of 4 steps and has a pediment decorated with figures. Weight: 10.9 gr. Diam.: 26 mm. Attrib.: RPC 2222. RIC I 118. RSC 30. BMC 229. Lastly, I also give kudos to the book shown above, The Pocket Guide to Saint Paul: Coins Encountered by the Apostle on His Travels. It is out of print, but it sometimes comes available on eBay.
