Today I am thrilled to present one of my latest acquisitions – a type I’ve been wanting for years, not only for its artistry but also for its historical significance: a silver cistophorus of Claudius, struck in the great Asian city of Ephesus. CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54AR Cistophorus (27.39mm, 10.43g, 7h) Struck AD 51. Ephesus mint Obverse: TI CLAVD CAES AVG AGRIPP AVGVSTA, jugate busts of Agrippina Junior, draped, and Claudius, laureate, left Reverse: DIANA EPHESIA, cultus-statue of the Ephesian Diana standing facing, with supports References: RIC I 119 (R2), RCV 1888 Toned. A scarce and interesting dual portrait type. This coin was struck in the great provincial city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, around the time of the apostle Paul's visit as recorded in Acts 19. The reverse design depicting "Diana of the Ephesians" bears a powerful connection to the story of the riot that took place there in reaction to Paul's preaching against the worship of the goddess. I’ve always liked the portrait style on these Ephesian coins – I think they are among the most artistic, expressive, and dramatic of all of Claudius’ coinage. But I wasn’t sure when, if ever, I would be able to acquire one, since they are fairly pricey and even a modest specimen often starts at $1k. I was also a little picky about the reverse type; I wanted one that depicted the statue of Diana. These, I believe, are a bit harder to come by than some of the other types. In any event, not too long ago I had the opportunity to bid on this coin, and to my surprise, I won it! In addition to the portrait artistry (which as an added bonus, features the jugate busts of both Claudius and Agrippina II), this coin also fills an important spot in my sub-collection of coins associated with the travels of the apostle Paul. This coin was struck in Ephesus only a few years before Paul’s visit to that great metropolis as recorded in Acts 19. The reverse design, depicting the cult statue of Diana with the legend “DIANA EPHESIA” bears a powerful connection to the tumultuous events that took place during Paul’s visit: “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. “And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 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: 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. “And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 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. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 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. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. “And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 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. “And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. “And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.” (Acts 19:23-20:1) Thanks for looking, and please feel free to comment and/or post your own Claudius cistophori!
Fantastic addition. Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.) AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm O: TI CLAVD CAES · AVG, bare head left. R: COM ASI across field, distyle temple of Roma and Augustus, enclosing standing facing figures of Claudius, holding scepter, being crowned by Fortuna, holding cornucopia; ROM ET AVG on entablature. Ephesus mint. Struck AD 41-42 10.08g 28mm RIC I 120 (Pergamum); RPC I 2221; RSC 3; BMCRE 228; BN 304-6
Wonderful conjoined portraits! I'm a tad (or more) envious. I added an Ephesian cistophorus tetradrachm to my collection for its strong biblical connection, as detailed by @The Meat man I wish I had a better image of it because it really is better in hand, but here it is: 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. Another cool connection to the historical narrative in Acts is simply that this coin type was indeed made of... silver! I bought my example several years ago, before I had a good gra$p on a realistic value of the type. As a result I paid WAY too much. However, I've never for a minute regetted adding the type into my collection. :-D
If it’s a beautiful coin I find that paying too much seems to be forgotten with time. And this is a beauty - the portrait is stunning.
According to Acts 19:24 Demetrius was a silversmith making silver model temples of Artemis, and there were many others like him. This kind of souvenirs was much like today's little plastic Eiffel towers tourists can buy in Paris. A silver model of the Artemis temple was probably a luxury product, there were more affordable souvenirs, the cheapest ones being terracotta statuettes of the Ephesian Artemis. Here is a fragment of such an item :
Yes, thanks for posting! The book of Acts is rich in small details like that, and is partly why I find the book so interesting. I read an article not long ago in Archaeology magazine about ancient souvenirs like that, and how there were options at different levels of expense. It's a part of human culture that hasn't changed much over the millennia!
