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Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Biblical & Judean Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Salem Alshdaifat on November 06, 2006, 05:07:49 pm

Title: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins - Now on NumisWiki
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on November 06, 2006, 05:07:49 pm
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Most of the Classical Numismatic Discussion| Board| posts on learning to read ancient Hebrew on coins have been combined, updated and enhanced in a NumisWiki| article. See:

Reading Judean Coins

Below in this thread there are additional examples in that are not in the article, including some Yehud coins. After finishing the article, you might want to go through the posts in this thread to test how much you have learned.

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Hi all Judaean coins lovers.
in this section I will put coins from time to time to help identifying the Cornucopia Judaean types
which is consider as very hard to identify for most dealers and collectors, I notice many mistakes in those coins on line, and hope this will be a guide to all those who have hard time to identify these coins.
regards
Salem Alshdaifat


Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah), 104 - 103 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1143 (465), gVF, 2g, 13.0mm, Jerusalem mint,obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, an excellent example for scarce coin and Priest.

Please note that ancient Hebrew read from right to left.
See the additional photo.
YHODH (Judah) , KHN (priest) , GDOL (High) , W (and) , HABAR (Council) , H (the) , YHWD (Jews)

ADMIN NOTE:  See Reading Judean Coins on NumisWiki.

Title: Re: learn Ancient Hebrew.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on November 06, 2006, 05:09:51 pm
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, TJC type Q, Hendin 1144 (474), EF , nice center with full script !!!, 2.6g, 15mm,Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, very rare in this condition and with full script.

the script says
YHONTN   (Yehonatan)
KH           (Priest)
GDOL       (High)
W           (and)
(HH)BR   (Council)
H            (the)
YHWDM   (Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on November 06, 2006, 10:38:07 pm
Alexander Jannaeus, 103 -76 B.C.

AE prutah, Hendin 1150 (469), EF with full script between Rays!!!!, 16mm; obverse Star of eight pellets within diadem, ancient Hebrew legend (YHONATHAN H MALEK) = king Alexander; reverse  BASILEWS ALEXANDROU, around anchor.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on November 07, 2006, 11:16:52 pm
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
this is one of the finest full script I have ever seen from this type, EX Forum

Bronze prutah, TJC I 62, AJC I group N, Hendin 1133 (456), choice VF+, 2.88g, 13.9mm, 0o, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, AP monogram below left; very rare full script
The ancient Hebrew script says
NN(HUH)WHY     =   Yehohanan
H          =   the
NHK     =    Priest
LDGH   =     high
H         =     the     ( ancient Hebrew mostly use W = and, in this coin mistakinly they used the !!
RB(HUH) =  Consel
H      = the
MYDHY = Jews.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Carolus Magnus on November 17, 2006, 10:31:44 pm
I hate to say it, but this is one hard language to understand. At least for me. Most of the judean coins I have seen in hand, are pretty hard to make out the letters, let alone translate them. I am really thankfull that Salem is taking the time to do this. In time I may get better at it, but not without the help I have recieved here. Heck, sometimes I have problems with English!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
                                                         Best Regards, and thanks again Salem

                                                                                         Chuck T
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on December 10, 2006, 12:29:16 am
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1132 (454), gVF, 2.1g, 15mm, Jerusalem mint, obverse Greek letter A above Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots.

Full script with very nice clear Ancient Hebrew script

A monogram
YHO(HH)NN =(Yehonanan)
H = the
KHN = Priest
H = the
GDOL = high
W = and
(HH)BR = Council
H = the
YHWDYM = Jews

 
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on December 10, 2006, 12:30:14 am
John Hyrcanus II (Yonatan), King 67 B.C., Ethnarch 63 - 40 B.C., amazing??

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1159 (479), gVF, 1.4g, 13mm, Jerusalem mint, obverse Crude illegible Hebrew inscription, Yonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, within wreath; reverse double cornucopia with pomegranate between horns.

an amazing example for the type with full Hebrew script.

YNTN  (Yonatan)
H (the)
KHN (Priest)
GDOL (high)
W (and)
(HH)BR (Council)
YHDYM (Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on December 10, 2006, 12:31:24 am
John Hyrcanus II (Yonatan), King 67 B.C., Ethnarch 63 - 40 B.C. [ADMIN NOTE:  This type is attributed to Alexander Jannaeus in Hendin's 5th Edition]

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1149 (478), VF, 2.6g, 17mm,Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, within wreath; reverse double cornucopia with pomegranate between horns; overstruck on an earlier prutah, and it is clearly over Alexander Jannaeus, Hendin 1148 (467) since we can read ALEXANDROY BAC, around circle.
 the Hebrew script says
YNTN (Yonatan)
H (the)
KHN (Priest)
GDL (High)
W (and)
(HH)BR (Council)
H (the)
DY (Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on December 10, 2006, 12:33:06 am
Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah), 104 - 103 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1143 (465), gVF, 2g, 13.0mm, Jerusalem mint,obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, an excellent example for scarce coin and Priest.

Please note that ancient Hebrew read from right to left.
See the additional photo.

YHODH (Judah), KHN (Priest), GDOL (High), W (and), HABAR (Council), H (the), YHWD (Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on December 10, 2006, 12:33:50 am
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, TJC P17, Hendin 1145 (473), gVF, 2.4g, 14mm, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, within wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

very nice example with full Hebrew script, which is very rare for the type.

the script says (read from right to left)
YHONTN ( Yehonatan)
 H (the)
KOHN (priest)
 H (the)
 GDOL  (high)
W (and)
 (HH)BR (consil)
 H (the)
 YHDM (Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: John K on June 16, 2008, 10:21:07 pm
I am now trying to read my own coins using this guide - so first Thanks for the guide!!!

I am having trouble seeing the difference between the letter "R" and the letter "D"

To me they look exactly alike... what is the "difference" that I am missing?
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Ecgþeow on June 17, 2008, 03:09:16 am
The resh ("R") has a rounded shape, while the dalet ("D") has strictly straight lines.  I know it is very hard to see that on the coins since they are so small, but context is key.  Judaean coins follow a relatively rigid pattern, with a very small corpus of words appearing.  If you ever see  :Judean_shin_1: :Judean_alef_1: :Judean_rosh_2: on a coin, you'd know it was rosh - "head" and not dosh, since dosh is meaningless.  luckily, the names are the most important part, and there is only one name with one of these - Yehudah -  :Judean_hey: :Judean_daleth: :Judean_waw_1: :Judean_hey: :Judean_yad_2:, and none with a resh.  So if you see one of these letters in a name and can't tell the difference, it is a dalet.
hope that helps
~Zach
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: John K on June 17, 2008, 08:59:47 am
Zach!

This is most helpful!  I must say being able to notice whether the letter is rounded or pointed is going to be some accomplishment.  Your comment about seeking to understand the letter in context definitely seems like the way to go when in doubt to the shape of the letter.

Now to get a more powerful magnifying glass!!!

Thanks
John
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on June 17, 2008, 11:08:58 am
Hi John
some times in Judaean coins the script is not realy prefect, you might recognize the R from D and some times  you wont, you have to be familiar with the script at the Judaean coins, but as Zach said when you see a cercle on the stick then it is R, and when you see a traingle then it is D.
but the script ingravers did so many mistakes on Ancient Judaean coins, and some times you cant recognize the R from the D, but you have to read the script to tell, and that is commen too with th K and N some times they look samiler.
try to write the letters on a paper and by the time you will be able to read these coins prefectly.


my friend Zach ROSH comes with W and not Alef    :Judean_shin_1: :Judean_vau_1: :Judean_rosh_2:
all the best
 :Judean_mah_3: :Judean_lam_2: :Judean_alef_1: :Judean_shin_1:
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Ecgþeow on June 17, 2008, 01:26:42 pm

my friend Zach ROSH comes with W and not Alef    :Judean_shin_1: :Judean_vau_1: :Judean_rosh_2:


Hi Salem!
I'm pretty sure rosh is usually spelled with an aleph.  It is a strange word, but throughout the Bible and on the coins, it is spelled ראש.  If you look up Genesis 40:20, rosh is used in the same sense as on the coins - head of a group of people.  Here (as well as all other examples in the Bible) it is spelled ראש, or  :Judean_shin_1: :Judean_alef_1: :Judean_rosh_2: in Old Hebrew. 

And that's good advice about writing it out on paper!  That's probably the best way to learn it - by actually writing it yourself over and over again. 

and glad I could be of help, John!  good luck!

 :Judean_quph_1: :Judean_alef_1: :Judean_zayin_1:
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 17, 2008, 05:50:51 pm
Modern Hebrew spells it with aleph. A quick look at Kaufman shows that aleph is normal on the coins as well, but that doesn't rule out the odd one with waw.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Ecgþeow on June 17, 2008, 06:28:51 pm
Biblical Hebrew uses exclusively aleph, as well.  That doesn't mean that some coins could use a waw, but I think if there is a 'pure' spelling of the word, it is with an aleph.  All Biblical authors use the aleph spelling.  It has to do with the fact that the word was committed to writing before the shift occurred that changed the word from rash (as in Aramaic and Arabic) to rosh.  I will try to dig up my notes on the word from one of my classes a little later.
~Zach
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 18, 2008, 05:57:28 pm
The Masoretic Text is medieval, hence effectively modern. Do you have anything on the spelling in the Dead Sea Scrolls? I could check it out at a pinch, but since they're around the Hasmonean period, give or take, I'd expect it to be aleph, the same as the coins.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Ecgþeow on June 18, 2008, 09:02:48 pm
The Masoretic Text is medieval, hence effectively modern.

I wouldn't say that... Modern Hebrew (revived in the 1880s) is very distinct from the Hebrew of Ancient Israel.  They are Medieval, but they have a much closer link with Israelite Hebrew than with Modern. 

Also, the Masoretes may have fooled around a bit with vowels, but they left the consonants alone.  The texts were not written by the masoretes, merely pointed with vowels where there had not previously been any in use.  The aleph is an archaism that snuck into Hebrew writing.

I've found the notes from the class -

(* indicates stress of previous syllable, š indicates SH sound, ‘ indicates aleph, CAPS indicate a long vowel)

Proto-Semitic original word - ra‘*šu
aleph elides, a lengthens to A - rA*šu
Canaanite shift of A to O - rO*šu
final case ending drops - rOš*


so, the word was committed to writing before the elision of the aleph in Canaanite/Phoenician times, and did not change after that.  The common spoken word did change, as can be seen by the Masoretic insertion of an O vowel.

As for early spellings of Rosh, there is an example of the word spelled with an aleph in the Siloam/Hezekiah's Tunnel inscription, from sometime before 701 BCE.  Line six.  http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/westsem/siloam.html


wow... we've gotten a bit off topic... maybe this would make a good separate thread?


~Zach

Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Danny S. Jones on July 18, 2009, 11:56:05 am
Here's another example, in the style of Salem's illustrations of a prutah of Alexander Jannaeus. This is my best prutah, with a full, readable inscription. I've noticed on many of these coins the various renderings of the letters resembling the older Phoenician script. Of course the two alphabets are virtually identical, having the same names for characters, and possessing very subtle differences in writing style during their evolution over time. (i.e. Kaf)

Anyway, this thread got me to dust off my Hebrew books and take a closer look at my Judaean coin collection.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Danny S. Jones on July 18, 2009, 12:02:16 pm
Here's a chart of the Aramaic / Proto-Hebrew Alphabet that I put together for reference.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Danny S. Jones on July 18, 2009, 12:08:50 pm
Also, here is a chart of the old Phoenician alphabet, from omniglot.com. Compare the writing style with Proto-Hebrew / Aramaic

(Permission is given on the website to use photos and information for educational and reference purposes.)
Title: Re: learn Ancient Hebrew.
Post by: Aarmale on September 08, 2009, 07:55:56 pm
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.


YHONTN   (Yehonatan)
 KH           (Priest)
GDOL       (High)
 W           (and)
 (HH)BR   (Council)
 H            (the)
YHWDM   (Jews)

I'm pretty sure hachaver (HHBR) means lit. "The friend".    The hebrew is יונתן הכהן, חבר של היהודים, Yonatan the High Kohen (like the last name :)), and the friend of the Jews.  
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 09, 2009, 06:03:54 pm
It means 'the Council of the Jews'. It's probably a safe bet that this is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek sunedrion, or sanhedrin.
Title: Learn to read ancient Hebrew on ancient coins - Now on NumisWiki
Post by: Aarmale on September 23, 2009, 08:10:21 pm
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, TJC type Q, Hendin 474, EF , nice center with full script !!!, 2.6g, 15mm,Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, very rare in this condetion and with full script.

the script says
YHONTN   (Yehonatan)
 KH           (Priest)
GDOL       (High)
 W           (and)
 (HH)BR   (Council)
 H            (the)
YHWDM   (Jews)

How does KH mean Kohen? Is'nt that just "ka"?
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on September 24, 2009, 08:27:50 am
This is very normal in Judaean coins to have part of the script, for example YHODEM, can found some times , DYM, YDEM, YHDM, HDEM, and some other forms, actually it is hard to find the complete YHODEM in those coins, I will be working with Hendin in his new book that will see the light next year, and will go through all the ancient Hebrew script, and will pint that out.
all the best
Salem
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on October 19, 2009, 07:18:11 pm
Heres a new one (both sides, at least.  Sorry, not complete script!).  H. 469 Alexander Jannaeus.

"OBV. YNTN HMLḤ (יהונתן המלך)"
"REV. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔΡOY"
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on October 19, 2009, 08:20:46 pm
Here's an unusual one, known from a single die. The obverse is as normal. The reverse inscription is HMLK CHN: The King [and] Priest, or maybe The Priest-King; I'm not sure which is the better translation. As usual, we can only guess the reason for the inscription, but it can't be a simple engraver's mistake.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on October 20, 2009, 12:45:25 pm
Might be transition from king to priest.  Many overstruck Jannaeus coins are thought to have been changed to show that he was pro-Sadducee.  He might have been trying to show that he was a king; later, not only a king, but a priest to satisfy the Saducees; and latest, just priest.

Just my thought
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on October 21, 2009, 05:58:53 pm
Nobody was ever in any doubt that he was a priest. He married the very powerful widow of his brother Aristobulus, Alexandra Salome, who gave him the titles of High Priest and King. His problem was that he was more interested in ruling as a king, on the Greek model, than in being a priest. He didn't observe the rituals as the Pharisees thought he should, and this was a major contributor to the outbreak of civil war. He may have changed his coin inscriptipon to Yonatan to appease them (he certainly followed a much more pro-Pharisee policy after a negotiated peace), but nobody really knows.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on October 27, 2009, 04:59:46 pm
I guess your right.  ;)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 21, 2009, 04:52:11 pm
Heres another Hyrcanus I, just for a little variety.  

John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
Type N in AJC, Hendin 1133 (457),  choice VF+, 1.55 CM.  
Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, Faded Monogram (Because of the dark patina on the reverse, you cannot see it, but there is a small bump in the monogram area, and it appeared diring shadings.); very rare full script.  

The ancient Hebrew script says
NNḤWHY     =   Yehohanan
H          =   the
NHK     =    Priest
LDGH   =     high
V         =    and  
RBḤ =  Council
H      = the
MYDHY = Jews.

The coin reads like this (Same highlight colors)
NNḤWHY
DGHNHKH
HRBḤVL
MYDHY
OR
:Judean_nun_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_het_1: :Judean_waw_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_4:
 :Aramaic_gimel: :Judean_gimel_1: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_kaf_1: :Judean_hey_3:
 :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_rosh_2: :Judean_beyt_2: :Judean_het_1: :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_lam_1:
 :Judean_mah_2: :Judean_yad_2: :Judean_daleth: :Judean_hey: :Judean_yad_1:

-Aarmale

Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on January 04, 2010, 06:47:20 pm
It means 'the Council of the Jews'. It's probably a safe bet that this is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek sunedrion, or sanhedrin.
Are you sure thats not SYNEDRION, lowercase synedrion, not sunedrion/SUNEDRION,?
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on January 05, 2010, 04:16:47 pm
Quite sure, I just checked!
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 12:50:07 pm
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
Type S in AJC, Hendin 1137 (460).
Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

The ancient Hebrew script says
NN(ḤH)WHY = Yehohanan
H = the
NHK = Priest
LDGH = High
R'S = Head
RB(HH) = Council
H = the
MYD[HY] = Jews.

 :Judean_vau_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_2:
 :Judean_nun_2: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_kaf_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_shin_1: :Judean_alef_5: :Judean_rosh_3: :Judean_lam_1: :Judean_daleth_2: :Judean_gimel_1:
 :Judean_yad_2: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_rosh_3: :Judean_beyt_3: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_daleth_2:
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 01:13:36 pm
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
Palm branch upright, flanked by Hebrew legend (Yehohanan the High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews) / Lily, three dot monogram in left. AJC I, group T; Hendin 1138 (461).

The ancient Hebrew script says
NNḤWHY = Yehohanan
NHK = Priest
LDGH = High
R'S = Head
H = the
RBḤ =  Council
H = the
MYDHY = Jews.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 01:23:06 pm
John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC E29, Hendin Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC E29, Hendin 1139 (464), VF, Jerusalem mint, 2.02g, 14.0mm, 0°, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest...,surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, Crude example, script cut off of the die.

 :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_hey_1: :Judean_yad_2:
 :Judean_kaf_2: :Judean_hey_2: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_daleth: :Judean_gimel_1: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_hey_2:
 :Judean_lam_1: :Judean_waw_7:

The ancient Hebrew script says
NNḤWHY     =   Yehohanan
NHK     =    Priest
LWDG   =     high
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 01:33:53 pm
Judean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1140 (463), Meshorer TJC Group E, AJC I Group L, VF, reverse off center, Jerusalem mint, 1.98g, 13.6mm, 0°, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

 :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_hey_1: :Judean_yad_2:
 :Judean_gimel_1: :Judean_hey_1: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_daleth_2: :Judean_gimel_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_hey_3:
 :Judean_beyt_2: :Judean_het_1: :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_lam_1:

The ancient Hebrew script says
NNḤWHY = Yehohanan
H = the
NHK = Priest
LDGH = High
W = and
[R]BḤ = council...

ADMIN CORRECTION/NOTE: The inscription above and the coin below are the same except for the form of the paleo-Hebrew letter hey. The form above :Judean_hey_3: is found on Hendin 1140. The form hey on the coin below :Judean_hey_2: or :Judean_hey_1: is found on Hendin 1139. Both types have crude angular letters and many errors. The coin below, with a crude hey, appearing as an arrow pointed upward, is an example of Hendin 1139.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 01:48:22 pm
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC R13, Hendin 1146 (475), gVF, Jerusalem mint, 1.58g, 14.2mm, 0°, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, cursive style script, within wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns; reverse off center.

 :Judean_taw_1: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_waw_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_4:
 :Judean_daleth: :Judean_gimel_2: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_kaf_3: :Judean_nun_3:
 :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_rosh_3: :Judean_beyt_2: :Judean_het_1: :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_lam_1:
 :Judean_waw_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_4:

The ancient Hebrew script says
NTNWHY =  Yehonatan
NHK = Priest
LDGH = high
W = and
RBḤ = council
[MYD]WHY = Jews.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Joe Sermarini on November 13, 2011, 01:49:03 pm
Wow! that was fast.  Thanks!  I was working on reading an 1137 and your post on the type was very helpful.  
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on November 13, 2011, 06:14:21 pm
Wow! that was fast.  Thanks!  I was working on reading an 1137 and it was your post on the type was very helpful.  
Glad I could help! :)

John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 1135 (453), Meshorer TJC Group D, AJC I Group P, Jerusalem mint. Obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

 :Judean_vau_1: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_2:
 :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_kaf_3: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_nun_3: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_vau_2: :Judean_lam_1: :Judean_daleth_2: :Judean_gimel_3: :Judean_hey_3:
 :Judean_yad_2: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_rosh_1: :Judean_beyt_2: :Judean_het_1:
 :Judean_yad_3: :Judean_daleth:

The ancient Hebrew script says
NNḤWHY = Yehonatan
H = the
NHK = Priest
H = the
LDG = high
W = and
RBḤ = council
H = the
[M]YD[H]Y = Jews.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Nemonater on December 28, 2011, 04:27:04 pm
Hyrcanus I  Hendin 1141

Courtesy of Salem Alshdaifat:

it reads

(HH)WHY
NHK H NN
B(HH)W LD
DY

from right to left
 YHWHNN ( Yehohanan)
H (The)
 KHN ( Priest)
 LD ( Short of GDOL ,  high)
 W (And)
B (HH)  (short of Haber which means the Council)
 DY ( short of YHWDEM which means the Jews)
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Joe Sermarini on February 02, 2012, 10:42:51 am
If anyone has some free time and the ability there are quite a few more types that could be included in this thread and would be very helpful.  The missing Hendin numbers that would be most useful follow:
1142
1145 [NOTE: ALREADY ON PAGE 1]
1160
1161
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on February 02, 2012, 11:05:37 am
Hendin 1142 (466).

Judah Aristobulus (Yehuda), 104 - 103 B.C.
Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehuda the High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

The ancient Hebrew script says
HDWHY = Yehuda
H = the
NHK = Priest
LDGH = High
RBḤ = Council
H = the
[MYD]HY = Jews.

 :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_yad_2:
 :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_daleth_2: :Judean_vau_1:
 :Judean_daleth_2: :Judean_gimel_1: :Judean_hey: :Judean_nun_2: :Judean_hey_3: :Judean_kaf_1:
 :Judean_rosh_3: :Judean_beyt_2: :Judean_het_1: :Judean_waw_7: :Judean_lam_1:
 :Judean_hey: :Judean_yad_2: :Judean_hey:
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on February 02, 2012, 11:17:02 am
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC S, Hendin 1160 (479A), Jerusalem mint, 2.38g, 13.3mm, 0°, obverse blundered imitative of Hebrew inscription, Yonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, crude and blundered, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

This coin is very unclear, but I believe this to be the script:

....
 :Judean_hey_1: :Judean_kaf_1: :Judean_hey_1:
 :Judean_rosh_2: :Judean_gimel_3: :Judean_nun_1:
....

The ancient Hebrew script says
[NTNWHY] = Yehonatan
H = the
NHK = Priest
[L]DG = High
[RBḤ] = Council
[MYDWHY] = Jews.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on February 02, 2012, 11:24:30 am
John Hyrcanus II (Yonatan), King 67 B.C., Ethnarch 63 - 40 B.C.

Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC type S, AJC I type Hc, Hendin 1161 (480), Jerusalem mint, 2.029g, 14.7mm, obverse completely illegible imitative of Hebrew inscription; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

Script nonsensical.  Ancient Hebrew letters placed almost randomly.  I have attached a drawing highlighting the clear letters to show the crudity of the script. Keep in mind that on no correctly written prutah should there ever be two letter "Bet"s (:Judean_beyt_3:) as on this coin.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on February 20, 2012, 10:10:57 am
Hi Judaean coincoholic members :)
when this thread started few years ago, I knew it will be helping lots of members, but didnt know that dealers are using it as well !!!!
I am working on the Jewish war highlighting and th Barkochba revolt as well. hopefully I will add them by tomorrow night.


I want to give my respect and many thanks to Aarmale (Aaron), I was watching him in the past years,  and knew that he got the, intelligence , talent , guts and passion for Judaean coins, he learned a lot from this board and he is now giving much more  , I consider him now as  an expert in Judaean coins.

me and Armale will work on this thread and start it again to cover if not most all the Judaean coins that have Hebrew script.

regards.
Salem Alshdaifat
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Joe Sermarini on February 20, 2012, 10:52:06 am
I would actually like to turn this thread into a NumisWiki article too (with the coins in Hendin order).
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on February 20, 2012, 10:55:32 am
Joe
me and Aaron are working for it to be a very good project, give us some time to figure out how to make it a quality job.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on February 20, 2012, 11:02:22 am
Hi Judaean coincoholic members :)
when this thread started few years ago, I knew it will be helping lots of members, but didnt know that dealers are using it as well !!!!
I am working on the Jewish war highlighting and th Barkochba revolt as well. hopefully I will add them by tomorrow night.


I want to give my respect and many thanks to Aarmale (Aaron), I was watching him in the past years,  and knew that he got the, intelligence , talent , guts and passion for Judaean coins, he learned a lot from this board and he is now giving much more  , I consider him now as  an expert in Judaean coins.

me and Armale will work on this thread and start it again to cover if not most all the Judaean coins that have Hebrew script.

regards.
Salem Alshdaifat

Thank you very much, and it really has been a pleasure so far!
I will be adding coins of the Yehud periods, as well as a few coins from other time periods.

Aaron
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on February 26, 2012, 09:45:35 pm
Hendin 1046. AR quarter shekel, 3.54 g.
Facing Gorgoneion with curls in shape of snakes. / YHD (יהד) above lion facing left, on top of recumbant bovine, head turned, within guilloche border and incuse square. Unique.  Gaza mint. Probably from the fourth century BCE.
Note the early style of script.

Special thanks to Danny (goldenancients) for this description as well as other information:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=72517.0
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Salem Alshdaifat on February 26, 2012, 09:50:59 pm
Hendin 1132: Judean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C.
 
AE prutah, 1.62 gm, 15.4 mm,Jerusalem mint, obverse Greek letter A above Paleo-Hebrew inscription: Yehonanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots; Hendin 1132, Meshorer TJC A, gVF, Superb for the type, sharp and well centered.



Full script with very nice clear Ancient Hebrew see the additional photo.

A monogram
YHO(HH)NN =(Yehonanan)
H = the
KHN = Priest
H =the
GDOL = high
W = and
(HH)BR = Council
H = the
YHWDYM = Jews
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on March 03, 2012, 10:31:09 pm
Hendin 1045. AR Drachm, 2.29 g.
Bearded head with crested helmet right. / Man (deity?) seated right on winged wheel (chariot?) with falcon in left hand.  Left facing mask to bottom left.  YHD (יהד) above.  All within incuse square. Unique.  Jerusalem mint. Probably from the fourth century BCE.
Note the early style of script.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on March 23, 2012, 05:28:40 pm
Yehud. Ptolemy I (?). (Hellenistic period). Silver quarter obol. Young male head left / Ptolemaic style eagle with wings spread standing left; on left in paleo-Hebrew YHD (יהד).
TJC 29. AJC 14. Hendin 1078 (437).

This is the common way of writing YHD and this inscription occurs on many types of coins.
Title: Re: Learn Ancient Hebrew on ancient coins.
Post by: Aarmale on March 23, 2012, 05:45:42 pm
Yehud. 4th Century BC. AR Half-Ma'ah (obol). Obv: Young bare male head to left. R: Forepart of winged lynx left, below on diagonal, paleo-Hebrew, "Yechizkia" (Hezekiah). Hendin 433. TJC 24 (this coin).