Ancient Numismatic Mythology
  • Heroic Greek Myths and their Coins
    • Greek Mythology 101
    • The Trojan War
    • Perseus and Medusa
    • Theseus and the Minotaur
    • The Labors of Hercules
    • Three Graces and Nymphs Mythology
    • Three Graces Coins
    • Other Notable Greek Heroes
    • Dido and the Founding of Carthage
    • Other Interesting Ancient Myths
  • Other Notable Coin Series
    • Poets, Philosophers, Astronomers, etc.
    • Lighthouses of Alexandria
    • The Great Sphinx
    • Coinage of Cilicia
    • Coinage of Aphrodisias
    • Coins Depicting Combatives
  • Holy Land & Biblical Coins
    • Coinage of Aelia Capitolina
    • Other Holy Land City Mints
    • Persian, Hasmonean & Tyrian Coin Types
    • Coins of the Herodians & Roman Procurators
    • Judea Capta & Jewish War Coin Types
    • Noah and the Flood
    • Ancient Artifacts
  • Roman Imperial Portraits
    • Greek Silver
    • Roman Egypt
    • Odds and Ends
    • Coins Books for Sale! >
      • Ancient Coin Literature

Hasmonean Types

The Hasmonean dynasty was the ruling party in Judea from the 2nd century BC until they were replaced by the Herodians in 37 BC. The first Hasmonean ruler was Simon Maccabaeus who came to power after his brother, Judah the Maccabee expelled the Seleucids (Antiochus IV) during the Maccabean Revolt (167 BC). The Jewish state was first recognized by the Roman Senate in 139 BC. The Hasmonean dynasty lasted for over 100 years at which time Herod the Great (an Idumean – Edom in antiquity) was installed as king by Rome.

John Hyrcanus (Yehohanan 135-104 B.C.)

Picture
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C. Bronze prutah, Hendin 453, 1.92 gm, 14.3mm, Jerusalem mint, Obverse: Hebrew inscription, "Yehonanan the High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews", surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. The script reads from right to left: WHY NN(HUH) =Yehohnan, H=The, KHN=Priest, H=The, GDL=High, W=and, (HUH)BR=Council, H=The, YHDM=Jews (formerly Author's collection)
Picture
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C. (SE year 182 = 131-130 BC) Bronze prutah. 16mm Obverse: Lily, Reverse: Anchor BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY. SNG Spaer 2140-2145; Meshorer p. 30-31; Hendin 451 (formerly Author's collection)

Aristobulus I (Yehuda 104-103 B.C.)

Picture
JUDAEA, Hasmoneans Aristobulus I (Yehudah) 104-103 B.C., Æ Prutah 13mm (2.18g) Obv.: Double Cornucopiae; pomegranate between horns Rev.: Script in wreath “Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews” Ref: Hendin 465 (formerly Author's collection)

Tyrian Shekels

Picture
Phoenicia, Tyre 126 BC - 65 B.C. (14.33g) (year 131, 5-6 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm/Shekel Obv.: Bust of Melkart r. Rev.: Eagle facing l., on prow Club & monogram to side ΤΥΠΟΥΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙΑΣΥΛΟΥ ΡΛΑ Ref: BMC S. 197 (formerly Author's collection)
Picture
Phoenicia, Tyre 126 BC - 65 B.C. (14.18g) (year 177, 51-52 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm/Shekel Obv.: Bust of Melkart r. Rev.: Eagle facing l., on prow Club & monogram to side ΤΥΠΟΥΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙΑΣΥΛΟΥ ΡΟΖ Ref: BMC S. 197 (Author's collection)

Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.)

Picture
Alexander Jannaeus 103 B.C. – 76 B.C. Æ Prutah Samaria, 16mm (2.98g) Obverse: Anchor, BASILEOS ALEXANDROU "King Alexander"; Reverse: Eight-spoke wheel or star within diadem. Hebrew legend inside the spokes: "Yehonatan the King" Ref: Hendin 472 (formerly Author's collection)
Picture
Alexander Jannaeus 103 B.C. – 76 B.C. Æ Lepton Samaria, 12mm Obv.: Anchor Rev.: Star or sunwheel Ref: Hendin 471 (Author's collection) partial coin mold remaining
Picture
Alexander Jannaeus 103 B.C. – 76 B.C. Pb Prutah Samaria, 16mm Obv.: Anchor Rev.: Star or sunwheel Ref: Hendin (Author's collection)
Picture
JUDAEA, Hasmoneans Alexander Jannaeus 104-103 B.C., Æ Prutah 13mm Obv.: Double Cornucopiae; pomegranate between horns Rev.: Script in wreath “Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews” Ref: Hendin 465 (Author's collection)
Picture
Alexander Jannaeus 103 B.C. – 76 B.C. Æ Prutah Samaria, 15mm Obv.: Anchor Rev.: Lily paleo-Hebrew inscription, (YHNTN H MLK) Yehonatan the King, around lily; reverse BASILEWS ALEXANDROU (King Alexander in Greek), around inner circle containing anchor Ref: Hendin 467 (formerly Author's collection)

Mattathias Antigonos (40-37 B.C.)

Picture
Judaea, Hasmonean Kings Mattathias Antigonos. 40-37 BC. Last Maccabean king (conquered by Herod) AE 27mm (15.38g) Obv.: Double cornucopiae Hebrew: “Mattatayah the high priest and council of the Jews” Rev.: Ivy wreath tied w/ribbons ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ Greek: “of king Antigonus” Ref: Hendin 481 (formerly Author's collection)
Picture
Judaea, Hasmonean Kings Mattathias Antigonos. 40-37 BC. Last Maccabean king (conquered by Herod) AE 22mm 4 prutah Obv.: Double cornucopiae Hebrew: “Mattatayah the high priest and council of the Jews” Rev.: Ivy wreath legend within ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ Greek: “of king Antigonus” Ref: Hendin 1163 (formerly Author's collection)
Picture