Prutah - John Hyrcanus I and Antiochus VII Sidetes

Features

Issuer Judea
Ruling authority John Hyrcanus I (134 BC - 104 BC)
King Antiochus VII Sidetes (138 BC - 129 BC)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 132 BC - 130 BC
Value 1 Prutah
Currency Prutah (140 BC-95 AD)
Composition Bronze
Weight 3.52 g
Shape Round (irregular)
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
72629
References Hendin 5ᵗʰ# 1131,
David Hendin, Herbert Kreindler; 2010. Guide to Biblical Coins (5th edition). Amphora Books, New York, United States.
Hendin 6ᵗʰ# 6165
David Hendin; 2021. Guide to Biblical Coins (6th edition). American Numismatic Society, New York, United States.

Obverse

An anchor sarounded by the name of the Seleucid king in Greek, underneath is a Seleucid era date

Script: Greek

Lettering: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΑΠΡ

Translation: King Antiochus Benefactor 182 (132/131 BCE)

Reverse

A lily flower as a representation of Jerusalem

Mint

Jerusalem, Israel

Comments

John Hyrcanus I who is the nephew of the famous Judah Maccabee (the hero of the Hanukkah story) came to power as the Heigh Priest of Jerusalem in the year 134 BCE. During his first year in power he was faced with an invasion of Judea and a siege on Jerusalem by the Seleucid King Antiochus VII Sidetes. The siege lasted for over a year. Eventually Hyrcanus agreed on a truce that meant the walls of the city would be torn down, 3,000 talents of silver will by paid to Antiochus, once again Judean recognition of Seleucid control and many other things that impacted the Ancient Judeans. But another thing that was agreed upon in the treaty was that Hyrcanus could strike bronze coins at the Jerusalem Mint but in the name of Antiochus. Hence the creation of the coin above. This coin is also the first known time that a prutah was issued making this the vary first prutah in known history.

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
ND (132 BC - 131 BC)  42% ΑΠΡ (Year 182)
ND (132 BC - 131 BC)  42% ΑΠΡ (Year 182); Date to left of anchor
ND (131 BC - 130 BC)  0% ΒΠΡ (Year 183)
ND (131 BC - 130 BC)  17% ΒΠΡ (Year 183); Date to left of anchor

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 87 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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