Lot 162: Judaea, Hasmonean Kingdom. Alexander Jannaeus. 103-76 B.C.E. Æ prutah. 
AUCTION: Triskeles - Auction 25 (Auction 332)
- Sold Winning Bid: $80
- 3 Bid(s)
Judaea, Hasmonean Kingdom. Alexander Jannaeus. 103-76 B.C.E. Æ prutah. Jerusalem. 'Yehonatan the King' (Paleo-Hebrew), lily, within circular beaded border / ΒΑ[ΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑ]ΝΔΡΟΥ, inverted anchor within circle. TJC grp. N; Hendin 1148. Attractive earthen-green patina. Choice very fine.
This emission seems to look back to the Seleukid coinage struck by John Hyrcanus I for his ostensible overlord, the Seleukid king Antiochos VII Sidetes in 132-130 B.C.E. Both feature a lily on the obverse as a symbol of Jerusalem and an anchor as a badge of royal (Seleukid) authority. Here, however, Jannaeus seems to use it as a means of indicating his legitimacy as the successor to the now feeble and virtually extinct line of Seleukid kings. It is no accident that the Paleo-Hebrew legend appears alongside the Jewish emblem of the lily while the Greek legend is associated with the anchor.
- Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
- Lot #: 162
- Listing #: 226974
- Closed: Friday, September 28, 2018 4:26:50 PM CT
- Estimate: $100