Tetradrachms (four drachms) were first minted around 500 B.C. When Rome conquered Greece, they continued to mint tetradrachms for the next 500 years. Originally high-grade silver, the tetradrachm was gradually debased to reflect the waning fortunes of the Roman Empire (a form of ancient inflation). The obverse of these classical coins depicts

Roman emperors ranging from Elagabalus (AD218 - AD 222) to Treb. Gallus (AD 251- AD 253).The reverse depicts a Roman Aquila (eagle) with wreath, which was an important Roman military symbol. It is often thought that the inspiration of the American eagle came from the Aquila on Roman Coins. Antioch is best known for being the city where Saul (later Paul) was taken after his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road. It is there in Antioch where Christians were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Once the third largest city in the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria, Antioch was the major center of Christianity for 300 years.