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Message:: [QUOTE="Mike Margolis, post: 3029277, member: 88401"]The issue of this coin happened as Nerva was easing the persecution of Christians and Jews- the year 97ce. What it might be discovered is that the symbol of the burdened mule was also being used in Roman and Jewish dialog as a derogatory view of the early Christians whose religion was regarded by many of these folks as a hybrid "animal" of the noble Roman/Greek religion(horse) and the "lesser" Jewish religion(donkey). These coins in excellent condition show the unburdened animals freely grazing and it might be noticed that one of the upturned poles of the harness bears a resemblance to a crucifix. [ATTACH=full]754689[/ATTACH]Maybe this is a stretch but could this be a quiet political nod from the emperor to the Christians he was making friends with which wouldn't have been popular to many of his comrades in the senate? Not sure of the history of the crucifix as associated with the new Christian faith, it may not have come into play for another hundred years or so. Interesting times this coin was minted anyway. maybe [USER=81896]@Deacon Ray[/USER] has some info about this? If there is any credibility to this idea it would mean that this is the very first historical use of the crucifix in regards to Christianity.[/QUOTE]