Genuine Ancient Biblical Widow's Mite Coin

Widow's Mite Coins Referred to in the New Testament, Mark 12:41-44  "... cast in all she had...".

Jerusalem mint, JUDAEA 103-76 BC

Alexander Jannaeus
King of Judaea
103-76 BC.

In circulation during the life of Christ Jerusalem mint. These and similar small Hasmonean dynasty coins such as the Widow's mites from the same time and referenced in Mark 12:42-44 and Luke 21:2-4--Jesus tells the story of the Widow who gave all she had, two "mites" --all circulated for nearly 200 after they were minted and were used in Jerusalem until the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

Bronze Prutah. 1.89gm 15mm at widest

These are small coins typically about 12mm--this one is Very large for this issue! For comparison a U.S. Dime is 17.9mm.

Anchor; Greek inscription, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟY (of King Alexander). The anchor was adopted from the Seleukid Kingdom, who used it to symbolize their naval strength / Star of 8 rays surrounded by diadem; 'Yehonatan the King' in Palaeo-Hebrew, between the rays of star.

Choice Condition. XF for this issue -- Legible legends on both sides. Typically these are struck haphazardly with worn dies and off-center/incomplete imagery. Attractive colorful original patina--usually these coins are overcleaned/strippes of their patina which greatly reduces its value and interest of collectors.

Ref. Hendin 1150. Meshorer 8.

Easily the most well known of Alexander Jannaeus' prutah coinages, this issue boldly advertises his status as king while paying attention to Jewish prohibitions against graven images of living things which had evolved since the time of the Yehud coinages in the fourth century BC. While contemporary Seleukid and Ptolemaic kings regularly had their diademed portraits shown on their coins, Jannaeus was forced to content himself with depicting a star - apparently as a cipher for his image - surrounded by a diadem. It is unclear whether the star was meant to give a messianic flavor to Jannaeus' somewhat brutal style of kingship, but the anchor reverse casts him as a successor to dying Seleukid power in the Southern Levant.

Alexander Jannaeus was a capable ruler and general who often was in conflict with the Pharisees, the son of John Hyrcanus, inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus I, and appears to have married his brother's widow, Shlomtzion or "Shelomit", also known as Salome Alexandra, according to the Biblical law of Yibum ("levirate marriage"), although Josephus is inexplicit on that point.
His likely full Hebrew name was Jonathan; he may have been the High Priest Jonathan, rather than his great-uncle of the same name, who established the Masada fortress. Under the name King Yannai, he appears as a wicked tyrant in the Talmud, reflecting his conflict with the Pharisee party.
He is among the more colorful historical figures, despite being little known outside specialized history. He and his widow (who became queen regnant after his death) had substantial impact on the subsequent development of Judaism.  Jannaeus expanded the Hasmonean Kingdom and established the city of Gamla in 81 BC as the capital for what is now the Golan Heights.

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Own one of the most famous Coins of Western Civilization and Biblical History. These coins are significant because they are a material piece of cultural/Biblical history that has survives two millenia that one can ponder as one holds a precious "mite" of history in their hands. Inasmuch, it is a tangible reminder and witness to the 2000 year old lesson that gave the coin its name.
These are genuine ancient coins minted in the Holy Land, Ancient Judaea 2000 years ago and in circulation during the lifetime of Jesus.
A wonderful opportunity to own a truly historic Biblical artifact.

The Widow's Mite is referred to in the Bible in three passages -- AV Mk 12:41-44 is the most famous is the parable of the poor widow and the unselfish gift of her last two mites -- "... cast in all she had...".
Mark 12:41-44
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
Luke 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. Luke 12:58-59 58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite

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Images are not actual size ~ Please see description for actual measurements.