sulla80
Christmas in July
It was "Christmas in July" when this “Star of Bethlehem” coin arrived this week.

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch.
AE Trichalkon, Q. Ummidius Durmius Quadratus, legatus
Obv: Turreted and veiled bust of Tyche right with ANTIOXEΩN
Rev: Leaping ram (Aries) looking back at star in crescent above, EΠIKOYADPATOY (translation is “reign of Quadratus”) dated ETEP
25th Anniversary of Resurrection & 60th Anniversary of Birth, ETEP= 105 or 56/7AD (Caesarian Era starting 49BC)
This was minted during the first years of Nero’s reign in Rome (misattributed as McAlee 125a in the auction listing - I think the correct references are McAlee 102; RPC I 4290).
Here are a couple of interesting links related to this coin:
The Star of Bethlehem : The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar, 1999
Star of Bethlehem Coins : A Set of Serial Commemoratives by T. B. Cartwright, 2014