Biblical Coins

Lot 3936    SESSION 13 (9.30am Friday)    Biblical Coins

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PALESTINE, Judaea, Herod I, (40 - 4 B.C.), copper prutah, AE 20, (1.156 grams), obv. closed diadem, around trace of [BAC**ILEW]*C H[RDOU*, rev. tripod table, (cf.S.5528, AJC 13a [p.236], H.494 [47], cf.Meshorer 45); another Palestine, Judaea, Herod I, (40 - 4 B.C.), copper prutah, AE 11, (0.604 grams), obv. inscription within circle of dots, around [BA]**SIL*/ EVC H/ PWDH, rev. anchor within laurel wreath, (S.5532, AJC 18, [p.237], H.498 [51], Meshorer 50) (illustrated); another copper prutah, AE 15, (1.500 grams), obv. anchor, inscription within circle of dots, around HPW [BACI], rev. filleted double cornucopiae with caduceus between, (dots above), dotted border, (S.5534, AJC 17d, [p.237], H.500 [55 var.], Meshorer 53) (illustrated); another opper prutah, AE 10, (0.688 grams), obv. anchor with partial inscription around [BA]CI**[L*WC HPW**D*OY], rev. war galley surrounded by dotted border, (S.5536, AJC 22, [p.238], H.501 [57], Meshorer 55); another copper prutah, AE 12, (0.82 grams), obv. cornucopia with inscription above and below BACI**L*I [HP]W**D*, rev. eagle to right closed wings, dotted border, (S.5535, AJC 23, [p.238], H.502 [56], Meshorer 54) (illustrated). Several with patination, usually poorly struck, otherwise fine - very fine, mostly scarce or rare. (5)

Ex Harry Abramowitz Family Collection, sold Superior Galleries auction, December 8, 1993, (lot 446 part) for first coin others from Superior Galleries auction, December 9, 1994 (lot 804 part). The anchor was previously depicted on the coins of Alexander Jannaeus and Herod used this design to emphasize his role as the successor to the Hasmonaean kings. It is also probable that Herod depicted the anchor to manifest his special interest in the coastal cities and in maritime trade. Most numismatists agree that the galley symbolizes the construction of the harbour at Caesarea in 10 B.C. The coin is quite rare and obviously struck for a short time only. Its use of a maritime theme on both sides reflects this as one of Herod's major achievements in his reign. The last coin is the first coin issued by a Jewish ruler for use by Jews with a graven image upon it. The eagle is said to represent the golden bird King Herod placed above the entrance to the Jerusalem Temple. A most important group of this ruler.