Prutah - Alexander Jannaeus
Features
| Issuer |
Judea
 |
|---|---|
| King |
Alexander Jannaeus (103 BC - 76 BC)
|
| Type | Standard circulation coins |
| Years | 104 BC - 76 BC |
| Value | 1 Prutah |
| Currency | Prutah (140 BC-95 AD) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 1 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 94935 |
| References | Hendin 5ᵗʰ# 1151 David Hendin, Herbert Kreindler; 2010. Guide to Biblical Coins (5th Edition). Amphora Books, New York City, New York, United States. |
Obverse
Paleo-Hebrew between dots of star with eight (instead rays) within diadem; a Π-like monogram included
Script: Hebrew
Lettering:
כוהן המלך
Π
Translation: Priest the King
Reverse
Finley engraved letters around round finely engraved anchor
Script: Greek
Lettering: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
Translation: of King Alexander
Mint
Jerusalem, IsraelComments
It is difficult to understand this coin. At first glance is appears to be simply a reduced weight version, and inscription error of No. 1150. Yet, Meshorer suggests that if the monogram "has some symbolic significance it can suggest that the inscription too is not incidental." Barag adds that it can hardly "be a mistake or initiative of the die engraver. It seems, raver, that at some point the royal mint issued for political reasons these double-titled coins and after a vary short time refrained from further issue of that kind." Barag says Josephus and Rabbinnic sources "leave no doubt that the Pharisees demanded that Hyrcanus I should give up the position of high priest and be content with his secular power. During the the reign of Alexander Jannaeus their attitude reached an extreme point-the Hasmoneans were priests and therefore not from David's line and thus usurpers between the Pharisees and Hasmoneans by presenting the legend 'Priest the King.' The impact of this coin issue was, apparently, thought to be ineffective for the sake of dynastic propaganda and stoped soon after its introduction.
David Hendin Guide to Biblical Coins Fifth Edition, p 200
David Hendin Guide to Biblical Coins Fifth Edition, p 200
See also
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| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | Frequency | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| ND (104 BC - 76 BC) | $ 85 | 87% | |||||||||||||
| ND (104 BC - 76 BC) | Obverse brockage, unusual since full legend is clear in both impressions | 8% | |||||||||||||
Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.
Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.
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Country: France
Languages: FR, DE, EN, ES, RU
Country: France
Languages: FR, DE, EN, ES, RU
Numista Rarity index: 72
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
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