Show Notes
Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history
What can a coin tell us about history, power, and identity? Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner read history in metal, tracing the Roman Judaea Capta coins—tiny discs of imperial propaganda stamped with victory goddesses, palm trees, and a weeping Judean woman meant to broadcast conquest with every transaction. From Vespasian’s bid for legitimacy to Israel’s 1958 Israel Liberata coins that mirror and overturn the ancient design, they follow how numismatics became a millennia-long dialogue—turning symbols of subjugation into emblems of autonomy, endurance, and reclaimed identity.
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Click here for a summary and sources referenced in the episode.
Click here for images of the Judea Capta Coins.
Click here to see images of the Israel Liberata Coin.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
Wondering Jews
More from Jewish History Nerds
Jewish History Nerds is now an award-winning podcast! We took home two Signal Awards for history: Gold and Listener’s Choice. Thank you, Nerd Nation for coming out to vote.
We're a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. So we decided to revisit the episode submitted for consideration. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season of episodes.
We're a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We will be back soon with a brand new season.
Voting has closed. Jewish History Nerds is a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category and has the. chance to win a listener's choice award.
Jewish History Nerds is a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season.