Herod the Great

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Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.

A Roman citizen, Herod took the throne of Judaea with Roman assistance. "Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him." (Matthew 2:13 RSV)


	The eight prutot was Herod's largest denomination.

JD64052. Copper eight prutot, Hendin 1169, Meshorer TJC 44, Meshorer AJC II 1, RPC I 4901, F, weight 7.360 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 0^o, Samaria mint, 40 B.C.; obverse military helmet facing, with cheek pieces and straps, wreathed with acanthus leaves, star above, flanked by two palm-branches; reverse ΗΡΩ∆ΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (of King Herod), tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above, LΓ - P (year 3 of the tetrarchy) across fields; $250.00 (�192.50)

JD55127. Bronze prutah, Hendin 1173, Meshorer TJC 60, Menorah Coin Project O1/R1, F, weight 0.996 g, maximum diameter 14.0 mm, die axis 270^o, Jerusalem mint, obverse BACIΛ EVC HP Ω∆HC (King Herod); reverse anchor within laurel wreath; scarce; $160.00 (�123.20)

JD59278. Bronze prutah, Hendin 1175, Meshorer TJC 62, F, weight 0.916 g, maximum diameter 13.7 mm, Jerusalem mint, obverse BACILEWC HRWDOU in concentric circles; reverse anchor within a rayed circle; ex Amphora Coins (David Hendin); rare; $160.00 (�123.20)


	In 40 B.C., the Triumvirs agreed to divide the Roman Republic into spheres of influence. Gaius Octavian styled himself "Imperator Caesar" and took control of the Western provinces. Mark Antony was given the Eastern provinces. Marcus Aemilius Lepidus controlled Hispania and Africa. The treaty was cemented by the marriage of Antony and Octavia, sister of Octavian.

JD59269. Bronze prutah, Hendin 1172, Meshorer TJC 47, RPC I 4904, Fair, weight 2.304 g, maximum diameter 15.4 mm, die axis 0^o, Samaria mint, 40 B.C.; obverse palm branch flanked by two uncertain objects (leaves?); reverse ΗΡΩ∆ΙΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, aphlaston flanked by date LΓ (year 3) and TP monogram; rare; $150.00 (�115.50)


	This is the first Jewish coin to feature a graven image, the golden bird at the gate of the temple.

JD59177. Bronze lepton, Hendin 1190, Meshorer TJC 66, F, weight 0.745 g, maximum diameter 14.0 mm, die axis 135^o, Jerusalem mint, obverse BACIΛ HPW∆, cornucopia; reverse eagle standing right; ex Amphora Coins (David Hendin); scarce; $110.00 (�84.70)

Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
	This is the first Jewish coin to feature a graven image, the golden bird at the gate of the temple.

JD59270. Bronze lepton, Hendin 1190, Meshorer TJC 65, RPC I 4909, aF, weight 0.842 g, maximum diameter 12.3 mm, die axis 0^o, Jerusalem mint, obverse ΗΡΩ∆ ΒΑΣΙΛ, cornucopia; reverse eagle standing right; ex Zuzim Judaea; scarce; $90.00 (�69.30)

JD55791. Bronze 2 prutot, Hendin 1178, F, weight 2.190 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 0^o, Jerusalem mint, obverse ΗΡΩ∆ΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (of King Herod), cross surrounded by closed diadem; reverse tripod table flanked by palm branches; $90.00 (�69.30)


	This is the first Jewish coin to feature a graven image, the golden bird at the gate of the temple.

JD55565. Bronze lepton, Meshorer TJC 66, Hendin 1190, F, weight 0.740 g, maximum diameter 13.1 mm, die axis 90^o, Jerusalem mint, obverse BACΙΧΙ[Λ]Ι[Λ] (on left), ΗWΡ∆ (on right), cornucopia; reverse eagle standing right, wings closed; tiny spot of potentially active corrosion; $54.00 (�41.58)


	The ancients used poppy for cooking and medicinal purposes. For cooking, it was used mainly as a garnish or sprinkled on bread, perhaps also in desserts. Pliny sites the medicinal purpose: '...allow the poppy sap to thicken, roll it into pastilles and allow these to dry in the shade. It is a tranquillizer, but if you take too much, you will die in your sleep.' (N.H. XX-lxxvi)

JD42695. Bronze two prutot, Hendin 1171, Meshorer TJC 46, Fair, weight 2.220 g, maximum diameter 16.4 mm, Samaria mint, 40 - 37 B.C.; obverse ΗΡΩ∆ΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, winged caduceus, date LΓ on left and monogram P on right; reverse poppy pod on stem with leaves, fillet left and right; ex Amphora Coins (David Hendin); rare; $45.00 (�34.65)

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SYMBOLS ON HEROD'S COINS

Acanthus leaves A common plant of the Mediterranean, whose stylized leaves form the characteristic decoration on Corinthian and Composite capitals. The acanthus leaves may have symbolized the arts or steadfastness, or perhaps they were just decorative.

The Anchor: The anchor was adopted from the Selukids, who used it to symbolize their naval strength. Anchors are depicted upside down, as they would be seen hung on the side of a boat ready for use.

The Caduceus: The caduceus is the wing-topped staff, with two snakes winding about it, carried by Hermes. According to one myth it was given to him by Apollo. The caduceus was carried by Greek heralds and ambassadors and became a Roman symbol for truce, neutrality, and noncombatant status. Herod was a friend to Rome and the caduceus was an appropriate symbol in that regard.

The Cornucopia: The cornucopia was a hollow animal horn used as a container. One of the most popular religious symbols of the ancient world, the cornucopia is also know as the "horn of plenty."

The Cross: The cross found on coins of Herod the Great is actually the letter "chi," which symbolized the power of the High Priest. Since Herod was not the High Priest, his use of this symbol was probably intended to reinforce his control of the Temple through "his" High Priest.

The Diadem: The diadem symbolized royalty.

The Grape and Grape Vine: Grapes, the vine and wine were an important part of the ancient economy and ritual. Grapes were brought to the Temple as offerings of the first-fruits and wine was offered upon the altar. The vine and grapes decorated the sacred vessels in the sanctuary and a golden vine with clusters of grapes stood at its entrance.

The Pomegranate: The pomegranate was one of the seven celebrated products of Palestine and among the fruits brought to the temple as offerings of the first-fruits. Two hundred pomegranates decorated each of the two columns in the temple and were an integral part of the sacred vestment of the High Priest, as bells and pomegranates were suspended from his mantle.

The Star: The star symbolize heaven.

Catalog current as of Thursday, June 20, 2013.
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