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KINGDOM of JUDAEA
Hasmonean Kings

Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah)

King of Judaea

104-103 BC.

RARE

In circulation during the life of Christ Jerusalem mint.
This issue and similar small Hasmonean dynasty coins are all candidates for the Widow's mites from the New Testament and referenced in Mark 12:42-44 and Luke 21:2-4--where 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.

Æ Prutah 15mm, 2.57g. Jerusalem mint

Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons; pomegranate between horns /
Paleo-Hebrew legend in wreath Yehudah High Priest and the Community of the Jews" in five lines.

The legends of this emission of Judah Aristobulus I has linked it to early issues in the name of his brother and successor, Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BC). It is remarkable that these evidently late coins still refer to Aristobulus I only as High Priest when Josephus clearly states that he was the first of the Hasmonaean rulers to claim the title of king. This coinage may perhaps stand as evidence against whatever textual source Josephus used to craft his rather melodramatic account of the rule of Aristobulus I.

Ref. Hendin 1143.  Very Fine, very attractive dark green patina and scarcely found on holy land bronze coins which tend to exhibit a less desirable dark brown earthen patina.
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