"Currency of the Magi" Azes I/II Tetradrachm 58BC

The silver coins of Azes I and Azes II, minted around 58 BC, are not only significant for their historical and numismatic value but also for their association with the *Wise Men* (often referred to as the Magi) in the Christian tradition. Azes I, who began his rule around 58 BC, and his son, Azes II, governed the Indo-Scythian Kingdom, which spanned regions of modern-day northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These coins represent the peak of Indo-Scythian coinage, reflecting a blend of Hellenistic, Persian, and local Indian artistic and cultural influences.

The *drachms* struck under Azes I and II typically feature a detailed portrait of the king on the obverse, portrayed wearing a crown or helmet, in a style influenced by earlier Greek and Persian coinage. Greek inscriptions, which were standard at the time, emphasize the king’s authority and heritage. On the reverse, the coins often depict a deity, such as Zeus or a local figure, signifying the king’s divine right to rule.

The link to the *Wise Men* stems from the association of these coins with the Nativity story in the biblical story. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi, or Wise Men, followed a star to Bethlehem to present gifts to the newborn Jesus. It is believed that the Wise Men, who were from the East, may have carried coins like those minted by Azes I and II, representing the wealth and political influence of the region during that time. While the exact coins the Magi used are unknown, coins of Azes have been connected to this narrative due to their widespread circulation in the region during the 1st century BCE.

Today, these silver coins are highly prized by collectors and scholars for their historical and religious significance, serving as a direct link between the ancient world and the biblical story of the Nativity.