Dive into the fascinating world of ancient economies with the latest episode of Biblical Archaeology from the Ground Down on YouTube, titled “Crafting Ancient Coins: How Did They Do It?” Hosted by Dr. Sparks, and Dr. Graves this engaging discussion uncovers the ingenious technology behind first-century AD coin production in the Roman and Judean world—think hammered strikes on heated silver planchets, engraved bronze dies, and the meticulous annealing process to prevent cracking. Linking directly to biblical narratives like the Widow’s Mite (Mark 12:41-44) and the Tribute Penny (Matthew 22:19-21), the hosts explore key artifacts which confirms Roman  authority over minting, and the 1990s excavations of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount yielding Tyrian shekels and bronze prutah coins. These finds reveal how coins weren’t just currency but propaganda tools, bearing emperors’ images amid Jewish revolts. Perfect for history buffs, Bible enthusiasts, and numismatists, this 28-minute episode blends on-site insights from Israel with practical demos of ancient minting techniques. Subscribe and hit play to see how these tiny artifacts illuminate the Scriptures!

Books by Dr. Graves available at Amazon. See the list here: https://smyrnaean.blogspot.com

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