Prutah ID

[ras1325]

Hi, new here and pretty new to collecting ancients in general.  I got this in a lot with a bunch of Constantine-era Romans a few months ago and am trying to figure out what it is but don't really know where to start.  Maybe someone can help?  I've looked at a bunch of pics of prutahs and I think I'm on the right track but really have no clue besides that.  The reverse is pretty banged up, but perhaps there's enough on the obverse to get a positive ID.  Thanks in advance for any help.

[frederic]

Hi, it's effectively an hasmonean prutah. The ruler's name is not visible. But with the style of the wreath and the style of letters, it's probably an Yehochanan (John Hyrcanus I) coin type N of AJC.

Best Regards

Frederic

[Snegovik]

The first line is definitely YHW. The second letter in the second line looks like T to me. If so, it is Alexander Jannaeus. Let greater experts in ksav ivri correct me if I am wrong.

[frederic]

Hi, I can see
1re line: YH
2nd line: HKHN
3rd line: DLWCh
4rd line: only a H or D
5rd line: YM

The styl is same than John Hyrcanus, but it's difficult because the picture is very small.
Best Regards
Frederic

[Snegovik]

I am not an expert, and tooled it like this. What style features are characteristic of John Hyrcanus as opposed to Alexander Jannaeus?

[Aarmale]

I'm thinking smaller wreath, Vav like  , not like the regular Jannaeus , and the  Nun, not the Jannaeus Nun. I'm not an expert, but those are the most obious factors for me. But it seems you are right, it does look like theres a  .

[ras1325]

Thanks for the help so far.  It's interesting to see the analysis process, since I don't know the first thing about it.  I've scanned a higher resolution file, maybe it will help a little more. 

[Snegovik]

It was much better readable at low resolution... 

[Salem Alshdaifat]

Hi
you can read NTN in the second line and the style indecate that it is
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103 - 76 B.C.

Bronze prutah, TJC P17, Hendin 473, 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.





YHONTN ( Yehonatan)
 H (the)
KOHN (priest)
 H (the)
 GDOL  (high)
W (and)
 (HH)BR (consil)
 H (the)
 YHDEM (Jews)

Best
Salem

[ras1325]

Great, thanks everyone for the help.

[frederic]

Hi, I have found a coin of Hyrcanus I and the die seems very near than your coin. It would be the same die. Would you mind giving me your opinion.

Thanks
Frederic

[Aarmale]

Looks good to me.  The characters are in the same spots and have the same characteristics.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Looks like a die match to me.