Seleucis ad Pieria, Antioch. Silanus, legatus Syriae, circa 12-13, Æ 20 (Star of Bethlehem)

Seleucis ad Pieria, Antioch Silanus, legatus Syriae, circa 12-13, Æ 20 mm. 7.6 gm. Obv: Laureate, bearded head of Zeus r. Rev: Ram running r., head turned l., above, star, below, date ΓM (= year 43 of the Caesarean era). BMC 159, 63. SNG Cop. 97. RPC 4266.
Astronomer and Author Michael Molnar has published evidence that this coin depicts Jupiter’s occultation of Aries in 6 B.C., coinciding with the celestial event known as the “Star of Bethlehem.”