2015-11-28 Sat

Bronze coins of Apameia in Phrygia depict Noah’s Ark. This was probably due to a large, prosperous Jewish population that resided in the town. A mountain nearby had been identified as the one where the ark is supposed to have rested; hence, it is obvious that the story would be commemorated on local coins.

The coin depicts the ark, which is prominently labelled ‘NOE’ (Noah in Greek), which is in the form of a box barely big enough to hold Noah and his wife, who are depicted on the coin. The couple is seen observing a dove to the left, returning with a green olive branch as a sign that the flood has abated.

Coins of this type were issued under Septimus Severus, Macrinus, Gordian III, Philip, and Trabonianus Gallus.