What do you do with the coins already minted from a previous ruler but not yet sent out into circulation? Why you just strike the new image right over them and then send them out for use – or so is the theory as to why this coin has the image of two different Hasmonaean styles dies on it.  The coin began as a coin of Alexander Yannai with a lily/anchor on it. Then it was overstruck with the wreath/cornucopia of Hyrcanus II.

The legends of Hyrcanus II on these coins will be more like earlier Hasmonaean coins with the use of a wreath with inscriptions along with the double cornucopia. This type coin would be a candidate for the Widow’s Mite as well as one of the types to be found on the moneychanger table.

Ruler: John Hyrcanus II

Date: 67, 63-40 BC

Denomination: Prutah

Obverse: Wreath

Reverse: Dbl Cornucopia

Reference: Hendin 478

Note: Overstruck on Hendin 467

Judah Aristobulus I was ruler for one year.  He was only supposed to be the High Priest but he grabbed the royal title from his mother who had been appointed by John Hyrcanus I.  From a Biblical point of view his reign is important because he will conquer the land of Galilee and make the people there convert to Judaism.  In this way the town of Nazareth, which will play an important part of the Infancy Narrative, will be under Jewish control.

His coins will be hard to find not only because he ruled for just one year but also because he will use a double cornucopia motif that other Hasmonaean rulers will also favor. You will need to find a coin that has clear lettering on it to distinguish it from other Hasmonaean ruler coins. Because of it size and use it will be a candidate for the Widow’s Mite as well as a coin that could be found on the money changers table.

Ruler: Judah Aristobulus I

Date: 104-103 BC

Denomination: Prutah

Obverse: Wreath

Reverse: Dbl. Cornucopia

Reference: Hendin 465

I am still considering the life and coins of John Hyrcanus I and would be remiss unless I mentioned the transitional coin minted while Antiochus VII of the Seleucid empire was in control of Judea.  There is a real question as to who proposed this coins design. Was it Antiochus VII who chose not to put his image on the coin like the others he was minting as a sign that he was being considerate of the Jewish people?  Or were these coins minted by Hyrcanus himself and bear the name of Antiochus as a sign of cooperation? Either way it is generally agreed upon that these coins were minted in Jerusalem and therefore this becomes another candidate for the Widow’s Mite.  It also represents the first use of the permission that the Jewish community received to mint their own bronze coins.  They would however still be using the silver coins of the Seleucid empire. 

The lily found on this coin was a familiar symbol for the people of Jerusalem. It was a decoration found on two of the main pillars at the entrance to the Temple.  Lily symbols also decorated other doorways in the temple and they were found on various Temple furniture.  In the book of the Prophet Hosea the Lily was a symbol of Israel.

• Ruler: Antiochus VII/Hyrcanus I
• Date: 132/131 BC
• Denomination: Prutah
• Obverse: Lily
• Reverse: Anchor
• Reference: Hendin 451

John Hyrcanus I began his reign with a desire to bring back together the people and land that he considered part of the Jewish heritage.  Even though it seems that the Jewish people were given the right to mint their own coins it will be John Hyrcanus I who will be the first Jewish leader to do so.  What is interesting with his coins is that they not only mention that he is the High Priest but also note a body of people called the “Council of the Jews.”  It is not known exactly known whether this group of leaders was similar to the Sanhedrin of our Lord’s time, or some other form of leadership group.

I also want to mention that this era of coins that are now ascribed to John Hyrancus I has been a widely debated topic.  I have given you current numismatic thinking and if you get to read other older articles or book on these coins you will find that some coins had been ascribed to other Jewish leaders who minted coins at a later date.  I mention this because it will always be possible that new research will generate new theories, which is true for most ancient coins but especially with these!

This coin would be a possible Widow’s Mite as well as a coin to be found on the money changers table.

Ruler: John Hyrcanus I

Date: 135-104 BC

Denomination: Prutah

Obverse: Wreath

Reverse: Cornucopia

We will now turn to the Hasmonaean coins and examine them in light of their being possible candidates for the Widow’s Mite. Even though many of these coins would have existed about 100 years before the time of Jesus of Nazareth they are still solid candidates for being the Widow’s Mite. Coins are durable, in fact, many still exist today in fine shape. We know from the examination of coin hordes that the Hasmonaean circulated widely in the land of Judea.  One coin horde was discovered in the bottom of a well – about 200,000 of the coins mostly minted by Alexander Jannaeus.  It is not known why so many of these coins were there. Was it a hidden treasure and a safe place to hide them? Was there some type of custom like we have today of throwing coins in a well for luck or some other reason? We may never know.

There will be five rulers that we will consider in the posts that will follow. The rulers are: John Hyrcanus I; Judah Aristibulus I; Alexander Jannaeus; John Hyrcanus II and Mattathias Antigonus. They each minted coins and one of the rulers Alexander Jannaeus, will absolutely flood the area with his coinage. In fact if you approach an ancient coin dealer today and ask for a Widow’s Mite you will most likely be shown a coin minted by Alexander Jannaeus! But since you are reading this blog you have a lot more information and know that there are many candidates for such a coin!!!