FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Seals and Tesserae => Topic started by: Pete B on July 23, 2021, 08:51:19 am

Title: John Hyrcanus I Menorah Lead Seal? Probably Not Antigonus?
Post by: Pete B on July 23, 2021, 08:51:19 am
Hello Everyone! Just wondering af anyone has seen anything like this item? It's about 15mm, cast Lead. I think it dates to John Hyrcanus I, but I'm quite the novice at this. The base of the Menorah doesn't seem to match anything that Antigonus had issued...
Title: Re: John Hyrcanus I Menorah Lead Seal? Probably Not Antigonus?
Post by: Gert on July 30, 2021, 06:20:54 am
This looks like a seal of the later Roman/early Byzantine period. However, I am always extremely hesitant with anything depicting a Menorah. The reverse of your seal should have a monogram or inscription, but I can't make sense of it. Perhaps a better photo. Note that seals almost always have a die axis of 12.00 which helps photographing it the right way up.
Regards
Gert
Title: Re: John Hyrcanus I Menorah Lead Seal? Probably Not Antigonus?
Post by: Pete B on August 11, 2021, 11:11:05 am
Hi Gert,

That IS the die axis for 12:00... it mimics a Lulav seen on King/High Priest coins from Judaea. There are two big dots separated by it. The inscription is J / r Y h