EJ Gold with Architectural Sculpture, 11′ x 10′ x 3′, started 2007, completed 2012
I’ll explain why I’m concentrating on a nicer grade of Jewish coinage, from about 120-44 B.C., and why they fulfill both sides of the coin so to speak, of my Pocket Charms. First of all, the Pocket Charms come in an archival acrylic capsule, held in place by an equally archival foam ring. The thing is virtually indestructible, but it’s not a keyring, it’s a Pocket Charm, so handle with respect & care.
I figured, probably rightly, that most Christians are not going to want a relic coin from the time of Christ if it’s a Roman coin, the coinage of his enemies.
I also figured, probably equally rightly, that Jewish coinage that I could guarantee was around at least a couple decades before the birth of Jesus would be coins that either he or his followers might well have collected, carried and spent.
Of course there are the very rare and expensive silver and gold coins associated with the life of Jesus, but they are, indeed, both rare and, as I mentioned, expensive. Naturally, I have those coins as well, if you’ve sufficient wherewithal — in the neighborhood of $3500-$10,000.
But heck, the coins I have in mind for the Biblical Pocket Charms are beautiful Jewish coins from slightly before the time of Jesus — as a matter of fact, they were minted in the time of the Maccabees.
Wow, is that super-cool, because the Maccabees are why Chanukah is celebrated. It was originally called the Miracle of the Lamp. It’s very complicated, but the gist of it is that there was this one single terra-cotta oil lamp, see, and only one night’s supply of oil.
By some miracle, the oil lasted eight days.
From this, they made a national holiday.
So we have several holidays, including Easter, covered with a single type coin, the Maccabeean Lepton.
Of course, we could use a cheaper type of Jewish coinage from the period, a Widow’s Mite, which is a very teensy piece of copperish bronze smashed with a barbarous mark, and distributed annually to all widows in the realm, a popular gesture with the people.
Myself, I prefer the Lepton for the Pocket Charm. It looks great and usually carries some psychic whallop, especially if it’s been well-circulated for a long period of time.
I like the ones that were still being saved and spent during the Early Middle Ages, don’t you?
Of course, the Pocket Charms can carry virtually any coin that will fit into the Acrylic Capsule! That means you can commission me to package any coin in there for you, in any quantity.
I’ll be introducing this idea at the ICW this morning.
See You At The Top!!!
gorby