Issuer:  Satrap of  Phoenicia
Denomination:  AR  -  1/16th Shekel
Mint: Sidon - Modern day Saida, Lebanon  
Minted Date:  401 -  366 BC

Observe:
Phoenician galley left, waves below.

Reverse:
Persian Satrap/King, holding dagger in his right hand, standing right, fighting lion standing left on its hind legs; all within incuse square.

Commentary:
The Achaemenid Empire last for over 2 centuries and shaped the landscape and cultures of the Middle East, Mediterranean, and parts of Asia for centuries after its fall. The Achaemenid Empire was established by Cyrus The Great in 550 BC after he inherited the Median Empire. Cyrus fulfilled many prophesies, including the release of the Jews from Babylon and the funding to build the second Temple in Jerusalem. Because of the Achaemenid Empire's size and reach, a semi-autonomous system of provinces was established known as Satrapies. These provinces provided a decentralized system that empowered local Satraps to govern their territories which enabled the Persian Empire to thrive and incorporate multiple cultures without civil unrest. 

The book of Daniel outlines the events leading up to the fall of Babylon and King Belshazzar. Darius The Mede, one of Cyrus' generals breaches the walls and seizes Babylon. It is believed this is the King Darius who favored Daniel but ultimately threw him in a den of Lions. Darius was not so much a king but rather a Satrap. 

This particular coin was minted from 401 - 366 BC during the reign of Artaxerxes II. The Persian Empire was on the decline and in only a few decades, Alexander The Great would sweep across Persian Empire and reshape the ancient world. Additionally, Sidon would revolt under Artaxerxes III,  the son of Artaxerxes II, in 345 BC. This revolt was the beginning of the end of the Persian Empire. Infighting coupled with the advance of Alexander's Greek Armies would ultimately end the Achaemenid Empire and usher in the Hellenistic world. 

References:
HGC 10, 240.

Issuer:  Town  of  Metapontum
Denomination:  AR  -  Half-Shekel  - Drachm
Mint: Mint of Metapontum
Minted Date:  215 -  207BC  (Punic Occupation)

Observe:
Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet.

Reverse:
Barley ear with leaf to right; META downward to left; above leaf, owl standing right, head facing, with wings spread.

Commentary:
Metapontum was a Greek town that was known for it's vast wheat fields and served as a rich source of wheat for Alexander's Empire and then the Romans during the republic. This gave the town status and wealth among the Greeks and Romans alike. On the Observe, the Head of Athena wearing a Greek Corinthian helmet is pictured, which demonstrates the deep Greek roots present in Metapontum at the time. When Rome began to consolidate control of the Italian peninsula, Metapontum became a province of Rome but still had a rich Greek cultural heritage. 

This particular coin was minted during Hannibal's incursion into Rome. After several victories against the Romans, Hannibal dealt the Romans a devastating blow at the battle of Cannae. This battle took place not far North of of Metapontum and not only crippled the Roman Legions, it also resulted in a huge portion of the republic's senators being killed. This empowered many of the Greco-Italian provinces under Roman control to side with Carthaginian general in an attempt to gain their independence. This particular coin was minted during Hannibal's occupation of Southern Italy and Hannibal's army would've relied heavily upon Metapontum's wheat production to sustain its army. 

The town of Metapontum used the Greek standard of coinage consisting of Drachmae and Staters. However, once Metapontum sided with the Carthaginians, Metapontum adopted the Punic standard of the Shekel. Numismatists and Historians are able to attribute these coins because of the sudden change in weight coinciding with Hannibal's alignment with the Greco-Italian provinces. This particular coin is a half shekel that would've been directly traded with the Carthaginian Army and its officers in exchange for supplies and services. 

Unfortunately, Hannibal's army was forced to withdraw from Italy in 207BC. The Carthaginians evacuated many of the inhabitants of Metapontum and the other Greco-Italian provinces in the area as they new Roman retribution would be fierce and unforgiving. Ultimately, Metapontum never recovered from this crossroad in history and the town would never return to its former status. 

References:
HN Italy 1634; SNG ANS 549–50; HGC 1 1092; Jameson 329; Weber 779.

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+12%3A19-23
Josephus, Ant. 19.8.2 §§343–52  

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2025&version=ESV 

Issuer:  The Province of Judaea
Denomination:  AE -  Prutah
Mint: Mint at Masada  
Minted Date:  66 -  72 AD

Observe:
H

Reverse:
B

Commentary:
M

References:
H

Destruction of the Temple and Siege of Jerusalem: Luke
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2021&version=ESV#:~:text=Jesus%20Foretells%20Destruction,Gentiles%20are%20fulfilled.
Destruction of The Temple: Matthew
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024&version=ESV#:~:text=Jesus%20Foretells%20Destruction,be%20thrown%20down.%E2%80%9D
Destruction of The Temple: Luke
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2013&version=ESV#:~:text=Jesus%20Foretells%20Destruction,be%20thrown%20down.%E2%80%9D