Guide
Ancient Jewish Coins
4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
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Coins of John Hyrcanus
Hasmonean coins were characterized by a blend of Jewish and Greek motifs, but unlike contemporary Hellenistic coinage they lacked figurative images. The Hasmonean appropriation of the…
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Coin of Alexander Janneus
The obverse of this Alexander Janneus coin shows an anchor surrounded by a Greek inscription that reads “of King Alexander.” The reverse depicts an eight-pointed star wrapped within a diadem, with…
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Coin of Antigonus Mattathias
The obverse of this Antigonus Mattathias coin shows the showbread table and the reverse depicts the menorah. This coin series includes a Greek legend around the menorah reading “of King Antigonus” and…
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Coins of Herod the Great
The coins of Herod the Great depict a wide range of symbols, including grain offerings, pomegranates, and tripods, as well as Roman cultic objects, such as the apex, a cap worn by Roman augurs. All…
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Coin of Herod Archelaus
The obverse of this coin of Herod Archelaus shows the double cornucopia and a Greek inscription reading “Herod” in abbreviated format. The reverse shows a galley and another Greek legend reading…
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Coin of Herod Philip
The obverse of this coin of Herod Philip shows the king’s portrait with a legend in Greek reading “of Philip the tetrarch.” The reverse shows the façade of a tetrastyle temple, most likely the…