Provincial Rome, Judea, Alexander Jannaeus, Prutah "The Widow Mite" Jerusalem

A characteristic bronze prutah of Alexander Jannaeus, one of the most important rulers of the Hasmonean dynasty, King and High Priest of Judaea.

Alexander Jannaeus came to power in 103 BC and ruled for nearly three decades. His reign was marked by intensive territorial expansion of the Hasmonean state. His military campaigns considerably enlarged the territory under Judaean control.

Particularly noteworthy is the use of the Greek royal title on the coinage of Jannaeus. It illustrates the position of the Hasmonean state within the broader Hellenistic world, despite its distinctly Jewish political and religious character.

Roman Provincial

Judea,  Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BC), Prutah, Jerusalem mint

Obverse: eight-pointed star

Reverse: anchor

BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEXANΔΡOY

Diameter 15 mm, weight 1.78 g