Roman and Judaean Coins
Bronze and Silver, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE
Bequeathed by the Maureen Ahern, 2019
Former University of Canterbury staff member Maureen Ahern has generously bequeathed 12 Roman and Judaean coins to the UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities. The coins are on long-term loan until the ownership transfers permanently to UC. This ensures they can be included in the museum’s teaching and research programmes immediately to provide inspiration, reflection and hands-on learning. The coins offer a tangible way for UC students, as well as secondary and primary school students, to consider the past.
The coins range from a silver shekel from Tyre, 86BCE, (Jewish adults had to pay an annual sum to the Jerusalem Temple of a half shekel) to a bronze coin of King Agrippa I, 37CE, to bronze coins of the Roman governors of Judaea 10CE-62CE. The last coin in the collection is a bronze coin of the Emperor Domitian, 83CE. This coin was a reference to the Roman victory against the Jews in 70CE, which resulted in the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
Students of all ages can use the coins as part of their cultural comparative studies in social studies and mathematics classes, including geometry. Coins were an important method of propaganda. Students are encouraged to reflect on the social, political and economic messages and how symbolism is used.
“I decided to donate my collection to the Teece Museum as it is a specialised antiquities museum and I knew my collection would be well looked after,” says Ms Ahern. “The Logie collection was mostly in storage at UC after the earthquakes but now we have this lovely Teece Museum facility so the timing seems right to me. I’m delighted to be able to share my interest in coins and history with Canterbury students of all ages.”
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