Guide to Biblical Coins, 4th Edition (Hardcover)

by David Hendin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is the fourth edition of the most widely used reference in the field of ancient Biblical and Jewish Coins, with more than 10,000 copies already in print. It is also the most complete edition yet, listing more than 550 different coins while maintaining the same numbering system as Hendin's popular third edition. Hendin has dramatically expanded the text with extensions and significant new material. This new edition contains a full 38 pages of photographic plates illustrating more than 500 coins and weights. Aimed at both beginning and advanced collectors, Hendin compiles the knowledge he has accumulated in the 34 years since his year-long stay in Israel as a volunteer of the Six Day War. At that time his weekly trips to the markets in Jerusalem led him into one of the world's most fascinating hobbies--collecting Biblical coins--with which he has remained fascinated every since.

The noted professional numismatist Herbert Kreindler has for the first time evaluated the coins in two grades for the Biblical coin series. Kreindler is also widely known as an expert in Biblical coins, and the evaluations are based upon worldwide auction and private markets of the past decade.

From the Publisher
--"The ultimate reference book for this series."--American Numismatic Assn.
--"Fascinating and informative."--New York Times.
--"Rated FOUR STARS."--Dennis Kroh in The Celator.
--"Should be part of your library."--Biblical Archaeology Review.
--"Hendin has long been America's leading secular scholar on ancient Jewish coins and coins of the Bible."--Harlan J. Berk.
--"Hendin is a superb writer...his stories about collecting Biblical coins are a joy to read."--William Rosenblum.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Amphora; 4th edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965402924
• ISBN-13: 978-0965402927
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,645,932 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Guide to Biblical Coins, Fourth Edition, March 30, 2001

By	Stephen N. Gerson MD (lexington , ma.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The understated title belies the magical content of an unusual book! Mr Hendin's "Guide" offers a variety of tours through the mystery,history and meaning of the Holy Land from 700 B.C. through the period of the New Testament. Depending on one's mood and interest,the book may be read in a variety of ways. I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end as a history book which connects Biblical stories to surviving actual concrete objects ( over 550 Biblical coin types),and reveals validating and sometimes novel information about the times. The "Guide" takes us through the history of ancient Israel from the Persian Period,the Maccabees, Herod the Great, Roman Procurators, First Revolt, Bar Kochba Revolt,Roman Judea Capta issues,City Coins,and coins of Jesus and Paul. Kings,heros,religious symbols,military events come alive in descriptive text directly drawn from rigorous academic sources. The material is engaging to the neophyte,but is also useful and credible for the serious numismatist,or academic who wants an introduction and references to specific topics. The book may also be read intermittently,as one shares different archaeological and treasure hunting adventures with an old "Israel Hand". As a marvelous story teller,David Hendin draws us in,detailing numerous encounters with a cast of characters in the antiquities market of the Old City of Jerusalem. He has a lifetime of personal relatiohnships with interesting archaeologists,famous numismatic scholars,antiquities dealers and takes us into conversations with Arab villagers whose hunt for treasures with metal detectors,often unearthing new coin types. His anecdotes are engaging and the reader will enjoy David's special connection to denizens of the Old City. Even as the coins reveal history,they connect one's imagination directly to ancient mysteries. Who was Eliezer the Priest, noted on a Bar Kokhba denarius? Who actually were the personages named on the very early coins of Judea and Samaria? Was it really the wall of Jerusalem on the Coin of Mazeus? What was Jesus view of the money of his time? The author tells us what is known and tries to separate fact from legend, often referring to Talmudic, as well as Christian sources.

For the serious collector ,the "Guide" will become an indispensable,standard reference with over 500 Coins catalogued. "Hendin Numbers" are now ,often used as the common referent for auctions and coin catalogs. His pricing of coins in two grades accurately reflects current market values and the novice may be pleased to see that many of these very ancient cons are surprisingly affordable. I conclude by emphasizing that this is a NEW book and adds information (not in prior editions) about the history of Alexander the Great,Seleucids,Ptolemies in ancient Israel,early Maccabean hitory, the extended family of Herod the Great, and New Testament Coins. There are 25,000 words of new text and 512 pages, up from 384 in Edition 3. The book's paper,plates and binding are notably superior in Edition Four. The line drawings and photos are also more sharp. The book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in Biblical history and antiquities. I recommend it highly.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for all Students of Jewish and Biblical History, March 17, 2001

By	Ronn Berrol (Oakland, CA. USA) - See all my reviews

David Hendin's 4th edition of a Guide to Biblical Coins is a must for any collector of Jewish or Biblical coins. Covering coinage from the Persian occupation through the New Testament, this book should be in the libraries of all beginning to advanced collectors. However, this book should not just be limited to those with an interest in numismatics. Hendin's book is a fascinating reference for students of History and the Holy Land as well. Even those new to the world of ancient coins will find this book easy to navigate. It is presented in an easy to read format, and Mr Hendin's accessible style of writing makes for great reading that informs without being dragged down in minutia. Anyone who has traveled will appreciate his stories of backroom dealings in the Arab markets of Jerusalem, and will empathize with tales of amazing coins that slipped away and fake coins that didn't.

For those who own have used the 3rd edition of his book, they will be pleasantly surprised to find that Mr. Hendin has kept the same numbering system for Biblical coinage, despite the addition of new coins. The use of both outstanding photographic coin plates and drawings of coins aids all collectors in attribution and identification of pertinent coinage. Students of the new testament will be pleased to see numerous pages of new text devoted to such subjects as the travels of Paul and the extended family of Herod.

In short, Guide to Biblical Coins is the best reference available for Biblical coinage. However, this book can also be highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of this period. Those who have the 3rd edition will not be disappointed with the chance to upgrade to the new super-charged edition of Biblical Coinage.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well balanced text for the collector, September 9, 2002

By	LaughingVulcan "LV" (Bloomington, IL. United States) - See all my reviews

David Hendin makes not only great standard references, but includes many wonderful anecdotes about his experiences as a collector. The chapters are well divided, and there are plenty of plates and line drawings. A must for the Biblical coin collector, and makes for an interesting read even for the non-collector.