If you want a single coin to represent the widow’s mite it will be a prutah of Alexander Jannaeus. This is also most likely the coin you will be shown by an ancient coin dealer.

What I have shown in this blog is that this coin is not your only option for this event. We have coins that could be strong possibilities and some long shots. You can put together quite a nice ancient coin collection of widow’s mite options and come up with quite an interesting and historical collection.  The beauty of such a collecting is that you will also be dealing with the coins that would be found on the moneychangers table at the time Jesus of Nazareth flipped over the table in the Temple.

So now here is the list of coins that could be the widow’s mite:

Strong possibilities: (coins of…)
Alexander Jannaeus; Herod the Great; Herod Archelaus; Herod Antipas; Procurator Coponius; Procurator Ambibulus; Procurator Gratus; Procurator Pilate.

Other possibilities: (coins of…)
Herod Philip; John Hyrcanus I; Judah Aristobulus I; John Hyrcanus II; Mattathias Antigonus

Hyrcanus II had secured his power with the help of the Roman Empire. So when Julius Caeser was assassinated and the Roman government was disorganized  Mattathias Antogonus used this moment to work with the Parthians and other anti-Romans factions to remove Hyrcanus II from office and take over as King himself.  To secure the legitimacy of his rule both he will issue coins in keeping with the Hasmonaean style.

I should note at this point that as the Romans reorganized around Caesar Augustus there would be a desire to bring Judea back into the fold. It will be at this point that the Romans will name Herod, King of Judea so that at this time in history Judea will have two kings: Mattathias Antigonus with Parthain support and Herod with Roman support. Herod will also at this point mint coins to give credence to his legitimacy as King.

Both the coins of Mattathias Antigonus and those of Herod would be candidates for the widow’s mite.  And both would have been found on the moneychangers table.

Ruler: Mattathias Antigonus.

Date: 40-37 BC

Denomination: Prutah

Obverse: Wreath

Reverse: Dbl Cornucopia

Reference: Hendin 483