04.26.08
Another Widow’s Mite coin: Herod Archelaus with Grapes
If you just read only the works of the Jewish historian Josephus you would think his name is Archelaus but his coins tell a different story. The coins contain the phrase “Of Herod the Ethnarch.” So he is truly named Herod Archelaus and like his brothers, was given the authority to mint coins – but only bronze coins that would be used locally. These coins were minted in Jerusalem and there was already a well organized mint set up by Herod the Great, his father. This particular coin will differ in design from all his others. The design of the vine with grapes may have been influenced by a similar grape/vine design found in the sanctuary of Temple in Jerusalem done in gold. This coin would be another Widow’s Mite possiblity as well as a coin that would be found on the moneychangers table.
Ruler: Herod Archelaus
Date: 4 BC – 6 AD
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Grapes/Vine
Reverse: Helmet
Reference: Hendin 505
04.22.08
Possible Widow’s Mite: Herod Archelaus Coin with Anchor
Here we have another coin of Herod Archelaus that also has a nautical theme (an anchor). Besides being an nautical image that was common on coins when they were minted under Seleucid control, it was also a reminder of the successful sea voyage Herod Archelaus made to Rome to make sure he was named ruler after Herod the Great’s death. The trip was necessary because Herod Antipas, as well as a number of important Jewish citizens, were contesting the will that Herod the Great left. It seems that Herod the Great wrote out a number of wills and that each time he changed his mind as to how his Kingdom was to be divided up and run after his death. From the Roman point of view having a Herodian ruler instead of placing a Roman Procurator in charge, was desirable because they did not want to upset the local population more than was necessary to keep control. The Romans really had only two goals. 1) Keep this area under under Roman rule and 2) Keep the revenue flowing from this area to support their various Legions.
Ruler: Herod Archelaus
Date: 4 BC – 6 AD
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Anchor
Reverse: Wreath
Reference: Hendin 507
04.19.08
The transition of power to Herod Archelaus and Mt 2:22
Herod Archelaus has a tie into Scripture beyond the fact that his coins could be the Widow’s Mite or coins found on the moneychangers table. In Matt 2:22we read that Joseph had a dream as he was returning with the Holy Family from Egypt not to return to Judea because Archelaus was the ruler. Instead they went to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. Galilee was under the control of Herod Antipas, the brother of Archelaus. The Roman Emperor had decided that it was best if the large Kingdom of Herod the Great was broken up into smaller regions to make them easier to control.
The Holy Family’s fear was well founded. The transition of power from Herod the Great to Herod Archelausdid not go smoothly. There were riots that could not be brought under controll by the forces that Archelaus had at his disposal. Roman Legions had to be dispatched from Syria to calm things down. These Legions crucified a couple thousand people before some type of peace was restored.
04.16.08
Another Possible Widow’s Mite: Herod Archelaus with Prow
Here we have a coin of one of the sons of Herod the Great: Herod Archelaus. Archelaus was not named King by Rome but given a lesser title of Ethnarch and he was the only one of the three sons of Herod to receive this title. He was told he could earn the title King if he did a good job. He will never get that title, in fact he will be removed as ruler and then Rome will put in a Prefect. Here is a coin of Herod Archelaus.
Ruler: Herod Archelaus
Date: 4 BC – 6 AD
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Prow
Reverse: Wreath
Reference: Hendin 506
The nautical symbol on this coin is a reminder that the area he was asked to control included ports like Caesarea and Joppa within the area of Judea, Idumaea and Samaria. This would definitely be a coin that will be found on the moneychangers’ table and is a great possibility for the widow’s mite.
04.15.08
Herod the Great’s sons
Herod minted a few other coins but they will be larger bronze denominations and unlikely candidates for the Widow’s Mite. So we turn to the time after Herod the Great. When Herod the Great died his kingdom was divided among three of his sons: Herod Archelaus who would be given the area of Judea and Samaria; Herod Antipas who was given the area of Galilee and Perea; and Herod Philip who was given the area west of Galilee called Gaulanitis, Trachonitis, Batanea and Auranitis. Each of these sons would mint their own bronze coins that must be considered since they most likely found their way to the moneychangers table as well as be reasonable candidates for the Widow’s Mite. In our next posting we will look at the coins of Herod Archelaus.
04.13.08
Another Possible Widow’s Mite: Herod the Great’s Eagle Coin
The making of graven images was prohibited by the second commandment which makes this coin of Herod stand out. It is not the first time Herod presented an eagle image to the Jewish population. He also erected a golden eagle at the temple gate. The reaction against this eagle monument was strong but it remained in it place throughout his time as ruler. However when Herod was dying a group of rabbinical students smashed this eagle on the Temple gate. Because of the sensitive issue of the eagle in the Temple I would wonder if many of these coins would find their way to the moneychangers table or be in the possession of the widow when she was making a donation to the Temple.
Ruler: Herod the Great
Date: 37-4 BC
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Cornucopia
Reverse: Eagle
Reference: Hendin 501
04.11.08
Another Possible Widow’s Mite: Herod the Great with Aphlaston
Here we have a coin minted with an image of an Aphlaston. An Aphlaston is an ornament found on the stern of war galley and from one source it was noted that it was an instrument that was able to measure wind speed. This particular symbol was one used to represent the city of Ascalon, which was Herod’s birthplace. This coin also was minted to celebrate Herod being named King of Judea by the Roman Senate. So we now have another coin that would have been on the moneychangers table and a reasonable candidate for the widow’s mite.
Ruler: Herod the Great
Date: 37-4 BC
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Aphlaston
Reverse: Branch
Reference: Hendin 489
04.09.08
Another Possible Widow’s Mite: Herod the Great with Caduceus
Normally when a Jewish coin had a double cornucopia, such as this one, inside the image you would find a pomegranate. However, in this case, we will find a caduceus. In the Hellenistic world this combination (cornucopia & caduceus) is common but not on Jewish coins. The caduceus is connected with Hermes-Mercury and stands for prosperity. When Herod chose to use this symbol he is connecting himself more with the Roman world. The anchor on this coin could be celebrating the fact that Herod was given the ports of Gaza and Joppa soon after he was reconfirmed as King by Octavian. Again we have coins that would have been on the moneychangers table as well as another reasonable coin for the widow’s mite.
Ruler: Herod the Great
Date: 37-4 BC
Denomination: Prutah
Obverse: Anchor
Reverse: Cornucopia
04.08.08
Another possible “Widow’s Mite” – Herod the Great’s Lepton
This coin is a denomination known as a “lepton.” The word “lepton” is the exact word found in the scriptures. In reality, even though a lepton is smaller than a prutah (bronze coins which we have look at in previous posts), they are hard to tell apart at first glance. This particular coin, minted by Herod the Great with a galley on the reverse, celebrates the opening of the Port of Caesarea. It could be a coin that would have made it to the moneychangers table. However it must be noted that it would be a doubtful candidate for the Widow’s Mite. Oh it’s the right era and the right denomination alright but there were not many of these coins in circulation.
Ruler: Herod the Great
Date: 37-4 BC
Denomination: Lepton
Obverse: Anchor
Reverse: Galley
Reference: Hendin 502
04.01.08
Prefects of Judea Coins: Widow’s Mites
This is where we are so far. We have shown coins minted by four different Prefects of Judea. Each one is the right size, being used in the right location and minted at date that makes their possibility as the Widow’s Mite reasonable. Two of these Prefects ruled under Augustus (Coponius 6-9 AD & Marcus Ambibulus 9-12 AD) and two ruled under Tiberius (Valerius Gratus (15-26 AD) & Pontius Pilate 26-36 AD). Maybe you have your own favorite already from this group but remember we have not even gotten to the ones preferred by various ancient coin dealers when they offer you a Widow’s Mite coin!
We will now turn our attention to another group of coins that could also be contenders for the Widow’s Mite. They will be coins minted by the Herodian rulers. We will deal with four rulers: Herod the Great, Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas and Herod Philip. You should know now however that this group of coins will include some that are high possibilities and others that are real long shots. But all have a fascinating history so even if they are remote possibilities we shall take a look at them.
The information for this new group of coins will take me a few days to pull together – but then I will be at it again!
