j u d a e a

Judaea was part of the Persian Empire until Alexander the Great subjugated it in 332 BC. After Alexander's death, the Jews came under the rule of the Ptolomies of Egypt and the Seleucids in 198 BC. Before the end of the 2nd century the Hasmoneans had won full autonomy from their former Greek rulers. In 63 BC Pompey incorporated Palestine into the Roman Empire and in 6 AD it had become a Roman province.



r e f e r e n c e s




Persian - Seleucid Periods

Persian Period

Macedonian Period

Ptolemaic Period

Seleucid Period


Hasmonean Princes

John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan) (134 - 104 BC)


John Hyrcanus I (134 - 104 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 454
16 x 14 mm.
2.39 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia; pomegranate between.


John Hyrcanus I (134 - 104 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 455 (?)
14 mm.
2.32 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia; pomegranate between.


John Hyrcanus I (134 - 104 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 463
14 x 13 mm.
1.93 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia; pomegranate between.


Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah) (104 - 103 BC)


Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah) (104 - 103 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 465
14 mm.
2.37 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia; pomegranate between.


Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) (103 - 76 BC)


Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) (103 - 76 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 467
14 mm.
1.86 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Lily.
Reverse: Upside-down anchor within circle.


Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) (103 - 76 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 469, SGCv2 6087
13 mm.
1.14 gm.
Die position=n/a
Obverse: Anchor within circle. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔΡOY
Reverse: Wheel with eight ray-like spokes; Hebrew letters between rays.


Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) (103 - 76 BC)
AE Lepton
Hendin 471, SGCv2 6092
14 mm.
1.28 gm.
Die position=n/a
Obverse: Anchor within circle. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔΡOY
Reverse: Wheel with eight ray-like spokes; Aramaic inscription.


Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) (103 - 76 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 473, SGCv2 6089
15 mm.
2.57 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.


John Hyrcanus II (Yonatan) (67 and 63 - 40 BC)


John Hyrcanus II (Yonatan) (67 and 63 - 40 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 479
13 x 14 mm.
2.14 gm.
Die position=4h
Obverse: Hebrew inscription surrounded by wreath.
Reverse: Double cornucopia; pomegranate between.


Mattathias Antigonus (Mattatayah) (40 - 37 BC)


Herodian Kings

Herod I (the Great) (40 - 4 BC)


Herod I (the Great) (40 - 4 BC)
AE 2 Prutah
Struck 37 BC
Hendin 488
17 mm.
2.46 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Winged caduceus flanked by date. LΓ = year 3
Reverse: Pomegranate on branch.


Herod I (the Great) (40 - 4 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 500
13 x 14 mm.
1.56 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Anchor.
Reverse: Double cornucopia with caduceus between; pellets above.


Herod I (the Great) (40 - 4 BC)
AE Prutah
Hendin 500
17 x 14 mm.
1.70 gm.
Die position=5h
Obverse: Anchor.
Reverse: Double cornucopia with caduceus between; pellets above.


Herod Archelaus (4 BC - 6 AD)


Herod Archelaus (4 BC - 6 AD)
AE Prutah
Hendin 505, SGIC 5539
17 x 16 mm.
2.07 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Bunch of grapes on vine; leaves on left. Greek legend.
Reverse: Tall, plumed helmet with cheek straps; caduceus below. Greek legend.


Herod Archelaus (4 BC - 6 AD)
AE Prutah
Hendin 505, SGIC 5539
19 x 17 mm.
1.55 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bunch of grapes on vine; leaves on left. Greek legend.
Reverse: Tall, plumed helmet with cheek straps; caduceus below. Greek legend.


Herod Archelaus (4 BC - 6 AD)
AE Prutah
Hendin 505, SGIC 5539
16 mm.
2.43 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bunch of grapes on vine; leaves on left. Greek legend.
Reverse: Tall, plumed helmet with cheek straps; caduceus below. Greek legend.


Herod Archelaus (4 BC - 6 AD)
AE Prutah
Hendin 506
14 x 13 mm.
1.20 gm.
Die position=10h
Obverse: Prow of galley.
Reverse: EΘN surrounded by wreath.


Herod Antipas (4 BC - 40 AD)

Herod Philip (4 BC - 34 AD)


Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)


Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 41/42 AD
Hendin 553, SGIC 5567
17 mm.
2.55 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Canopy with fringe; ΑΓΡΙΠΑ BACIΛEWC
Reverse: Three ears of barley, growing between two leaves; date: L ς = year 6.


Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 41/42 AD
Hendin 553, SGIC 5567
15 x 16 mm.
2.14 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Canopy with fringe; ΑΓΡΙΠΑ BACIΛEWC
Reverse: Three ears of barley, growing between two leaves; date: L ς = year 6.


Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)
AE Prutah
41/42 AD
Hendin 553, SGIC 5567
17 mm.
3.01 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Canopy with fringe; ΑΓΡΙΠΑ BACIΛEWC
Reverse: Three ears of barley, growing between two leaves; date: L ς (year 6)


Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)
AE Prutah
41/42 AD
Hendin 553
17 mm.
2.22 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Canopy with fringe; ΑΓΡΙΠΑ BACIΛEWC
Reverse: Three ears of barley, growing between two leaves; date: L ς (year 6)


Herod of Chalcis (41 - 48 AD)

Aristobulus of Chalcis (57 - 92 AD)

Agrippa II (56 - 95 AD)


Roman Procurators Under Augustus

Coponius (6 - 9 AD)


Coponius (6 - 9 AD)
AE Prutah
6 AD
Hendin 635, SGIC 5606
17 mm.
1.91 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Augustus
Obverse: Ear of barley; KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Eight-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates; date in field L Λς (year 36).


Marcus Ambibulus (9 - 12 AD)


Marcus Ambibulus (9 - 12 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 9 AD
Hendin 636, SGIC 5607
18 x 17 mm.
2.18 gm.
Die position=5h
Procurator under Augustus
Obverse: Ear of barley; KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Eight-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates; date in field L ΛΘ = year 39.


Marcus Ambibulus (9 - 12 AD)
AE Prutah
9 AD
Hendin 636, SGIC 5607
17 mm.
1.86 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Augustus
Obverse: Ear of barley; KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Eight-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates; date in field L ΛΘ (year 39).


Annius Rufus (12 - 15 AD)
[Issued no coins.]


Roman Procurators Under Tiberius

Valerius Gratus (15 - 26 AD)


Valerius Gratus (15 - 26 AD)
AE Prutah
16 AD
Hendin 642
15 mm.
1.38 gm.
Die position=6h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: IOY ΛIA in wreath.
Reverse: Three lilies; date L Γ (year 3).


Valerius Gratus (15 - 26 AD)
AE Prutah
18 AD
Hendin 646, SGIC 5620
15 mm.
2.14 gm.
Die position=3h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: TIB KAI CAP (Tiberius Caesar) in wreath tied with an X at bottom.
Reverse: Palm branch flanked by IOYΛIA, and date L E (year 5).


Valerius Gratus (15 - 26 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 18 AD
Hendin 646, SGIC 5620
15 x 16 mm.
2.01 gm.
Die position=8h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: TIB KAI CAP (Tiberius Caesar) in wreath tied with an X at bottom.
Reverse: Palm branch flanked by IOYΛIA, date LE = year 5.


Valerius Gratus (15 - 26 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 18 AD
Hendin 646, SGIC 5620
15 mm.
2.22 gm.
Die position=6h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: TIB KAI CAP (Tiberius Caesar) in wreath tied with an X at bottom.
Reverse: Palm branch flanked by IOYΛIA, date LE = year 5.


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 29 AD
Hendin 648, SGIC 5622
15 mm.
1.55 gm.
Die position=5h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Three bound ears of barley; IOYΛIA KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Libation ladle (simpulum) surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC; date in field: LIς (year 16).


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 29 AD
Hendin 648, SGIC 5622
15 mm.
2.21 gm.
Die position=11h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Three bound ears of barley; IOYΛIA KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Libation ladle (simpulum) surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC; date in field: LIς (year 16).


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
29 AD
Hendin 648, SGIC 5622
14 mm.
1.95 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Three bound ears of barley; IOYΛIA KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Libation ladle (simpulum) surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC; date in field: LIς (year 16).


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 30 AD
Hendin 649
15 mm.
1.64 gm.
Die position=11h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Littus surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Date within wreath: LIZ = year 17.


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 31 AD
Hendin 650
14 x 15 mm.
0.90 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Littus surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Date within wreath: LIH = year 18.


Pontius Pilatus (26 - 36 AD)
AE Prutah
31 AD
Hendin 650
16 x 15 mm.
2.19 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Tiberius
Obverse: Littus surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC.
Reverse: Date within wreath: LIH (year 18).


Roman Procurators Under Caligula

Marullus (37 - 41 AD)
[Issued no coins.]


Roman Procurators Under Claudius

Tiberius Alexander (46 - 48 AD)
[Issued no coins.]

Ventidius Cumanus (48 - 54 AD)
[Issued no coins.]


Antonius Felix (52 - 54 AD)


Antonius Felix (52 - 60 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 54 AD
Hendin 651
16 mm.
2.12 gm.
Die position=6h
Procurator under Claudius
Obverse: Two crossed palm branches.
Reverse: Legend within wreath. Date LIΔ = year 14


Antonius Felix (52 - 60 AD)
AE Prutah
54 AD
Hendin 652, SGIC 5626
16 mm.
1.89 gm.
Die position=6h
Procurator under Claudius
Obverse: Two shields and two spears crossed. NEPW KΛAV KAICAP (Nero Claudius Caesar).
Reverse: Six-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates; above, BPIT (Brittanicus, son of Claudius). Date in field LIΔ/KAI (year 14).


Roman Procurators Under Nero

Antonius Felix (continued under Nero 54 - 59 AD)

Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)


Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 58 AD
Hendin 653
16 mm.
2.50 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Nero
Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE = year 5 and KAIC APOC.
Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom.


Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)
AE Prutah
Struck 58 AD
Hendin 653a
16 x 18 mm.
1.82 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Nero
Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE = year 5 and KAIC APOC.
Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom.


Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)
AE Prutah
58 AD
Hendin 653
16 x 17 mm.
1.67 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Nero
Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE (year 5) and KAIC APOC.
Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom.


Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)
AE Prutah
58 AD
Hendin 653
15 x 16 mm.
1.55 gm.
Die position=11h
Procurator under Nero
Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE (year 5) and KAIC APOC.
Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom.


Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)
AE Prutah
58 AD
Hendin 653, SGIC 5627
17 mm.
2.29 gm.
Die position=12h
Procurator under Nero
Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE (year 5) and KAIC APOC.
Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom.

Albinus (62 - 64 AD)
[Issued no coins.]

Gessius Florus (64 - 66 AD)
[Issued no coins.]


The Jewish War


Anonymous (year 2)
AE Prutah
Struck 67/68 AD
Hendin 661
16 x 18 mm.
2.74 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Amphora with broad rim, two handles and decorated lid. Hebrew legend.
Reverse: Vine leaf on small branch. Hebrew legend.


Anonymous (year 3)
AE Prutah
68/69 AD
Hendin 664, SGIC 5640
17 mm.
2.90 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Amphora with broad rim, two handles and decorated lid. Hebrew legend.
Reverse: Vine leaf on small branch. Hebrew legend.


Anonymous (year 3)
AE Prutah
Struck 68/69 AD
Hendin 664, SGIC 5640
17 x 16 mm.
2.90 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Amphora with broad rim, two handles and decorated lid. Hebrew legend.
Reverse: Vine leaf on small branch. Hebrew legend.


The Bar Kochba Revolt


Anonymous (year 3)
AE 21/Small Bronze
134 AD
Hendin 738, SGIC 5690
21 x 20 mm.
4.76 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Seven branched palm tree; Hebrew legend: 'Jerusalem'.
Reverse: Bunch of grapes and small leaf; Hebrew legend: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem'.


_______________


Pb


Pb
Hendin ___
15 mm.
1.45 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Pb
Hendin ___
14 x 17 mm.
3.20 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


b a c k  t o  a n c i e n t  c o i n s