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Estimate $280
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PALESTINE, Judaea, Hasmonean king Mattathias Antigonus, (40-37 B.C.), AE 19, copper multiple (four) prutah, (8.27 grams), obv. single cornucopiae, inscription, 'Mattatayah the high priest', rev. wreath with partial inscription within **[BASILEOS ANTIGONOU]*, (S.6105, H.482 (35), AJC I V var. pl.54, Meshorer 31). Off centred on the reverse, otherwise very fine and rare in this condition.
The use by Antigonus of the priestly title in Hebrew on the obverse of this coin is significant. His enemy, Herod, could not adopt this title, utilizing only the international language, Greek, in the inscription (Money) of King Herod. The propaganda value of such weighty coins could well have been a chief raison d'etre for their issuance by Antigonus. In comparison, the coinage of Herod was thinner. It is possible that a shrewd Herod struck lighter coins of a larger diameter to fool the public.
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Lot 3664
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Lot 3665 This lot
PALESTINE, Judaea, Hasmonean king Mattathias Antigonus, (40-37 B.C.), AE 19, copper multiple (four) prutah, (8.27 ...
Estimate $280
Lot 3666
PALESTINE, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Valerius Gratus under Tiberius, (A.D. 15-26), copper prutah, (1.90 grams), ...
Estimate $100
Lot 3667
PALESTINE, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, under Tiberius, (A.D. 26-36), copper prutah, (1.882 grams), ...
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