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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Judean & Biblical Coins| ▸ |Herodian Dynasty||View Options:   | | | The Herodian dynasty was a royal dynasty of Idumaean (Edomite) descent, ruling the Herodian Kingdom and later the Herodian Tetrarchy, as a vassal state of the Roman Empire. The Herodian dynasty began with Herod the Great, who assumed the throne of Judea, with Roman support bringing down the century long Hasmonean Kingdom. His kingdom lasted until his death in 4 B.C., when it was divided between his sons as a Tetrarchy, which lasted for about 10 years. Most of those tetrarchies, including Judea proper, were incorporated into the Roman Judaea Province from 6 A.D., though limited Herodian de facto kingship continued until Agrippa I's death in 44 A.D. and nominal title of kingship continued until 92 A.D., when the last Herodian monarch, Agrippa II, died and Rome assumed full power over his domain. |
Matthew (2:1-23) describes the Massacre of the Innocents. Wise men from the East visited Herod to inquire the whereabouts of "the one having been born king of the Jews," because they had seen his star. Herod, as King of the Jews, was alarmed. The chief priests, citing Micah 5:2, told Herod the anointed one would be born in Bethlehem. Herod sent the "wise men" to Bethlehem, instructing them to "report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." However, the Magi were warned in a dream not to report back to Herod. Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod intended to kill Jesus, so he and his family fled to Egypt. When Herod realized he had been outwitted, he gave orders to kill all boys of the age of two and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity. Joseph and his family stayed in Egypt until Herod's death, then moved to Nazareth. Herod was guilty of many brutal acts, including killing his wife and two sons, but no other source from the period refers to the massacre. Bethlehem was a small village, the number of male children under the age of two might not have exceed 20, and this may be the reason for the lack of other sources for this history.JD111099. Copper eight prutot, Hendin 6204; Meshorer TJC 44; Meshorer AJC II 1; BMC Palestine p. 220, 1; RPC I 4901 HGC 10 651, F, off center, weight 6.129 g, maximum diameter 22.8 mm, die axis 0o, Samaria mint, 40/39 or 38/37 B.C.; obverse HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Greek: of King Herod), tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above, LΓ -
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
Meshorer TJC 48 and 48a are described with an open diadem but the plate coins have closed diadems. The diadems on Meshorer 49 are open. This coin appears to have an open diadem.JD111337. Bronze 2 prutot, Meshorer TJC p. 222 & pl. 44, 49; Sofaer 19; Hendin 6211a (S); HGC 10 654; RPC I 4905; BMC Palestine p. 223, 28 ff., VF, well centered with full legend, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, weight 2.911 g, maximum diameter 17.9 mm, die axis 315o, Jerusalem mint, c. 30 B.C.; obverse HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Greek: of King Herod), cross surrounded by a open diadem; reverse shallow bowl on a tripod table, flanked by curved palm branches; scarce;
Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.
Herod's most famous and ambitious project was his magnificent expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 20 - 19 B.C. Although work on out-buildings continued another eighty years, the new Temple was finished in a year and a half. To comply with religious law, Herod employed 1,000 priests as masons and carpenters. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Today, only the four retaining walls of the Temple Mount remain standing, including the Western Wall.JD98786. Bronze prutah, cf. Meshorer TJC 68f, Hendin 6223 (S), RPC Online I 4912, Sofaer 62 (cruder than published specimens), VF, crude style, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, tight flan, uneven strike, remnant of pre-strike casting sprue, weight 0.844 g, maximum diameter 13.9 mm, die axis 135o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩΔ (or similar, Greek abbreviation: of King Herod), anchor; reverse two cornucopias splayed outward, adorned with ribbons, caduceus between horns, N(?) (blundered Greek, abbreviating Ethnarch) above; from an Israeli collection; rare crude variant;
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C., Barbaric Imitative Issue
Herod's most famous and ambitious project was his magnificent expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 20 - 19 B.C. Although work on out-buildings continued another eighty years, the new Temple was finished in a year and a half. To comply with religious law, Herod employed 1,000 priests as masons and carpenters. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Today, only the four retaining walls of the Temple Mount remain standing, including the Western Wall.JD111347. Leaded bronze prutah, Hendin 6219e, VF, barbaric issue, weight 1.553 g, maximum diameter 15.1 mm, die axis 180o, unofficial mint, c. 21 - 12 B.C.; obverse blundered imitation of Greek: HPW BACI (of King Herod), anchor; reverse two cornucopias splayed outward, adorned with ribbons, caduceus between horns (blundered, failing to understand the items depicted); rare;
Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.
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.JD110301. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6227; Meshorer TJC 73; BMC Palestine p. 232, 10; SGICV 5539; RPC I 4917, VF, well centered, green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, prominent sprue cuts, reverse edge beveled, weight 2.272 g, maximum diameter 16.5 mm, die axis 315o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩΔOY (Greek: of Herod), bunch of grapes, leaf on left; reverse EΘNOPXOY (Greek: Ethnarch), tall helmet with crest and neck straps viewed from the front, small caduceus in lower left field; from an Israeli collection;
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
Herod the Great, a Roman client king of Judea, has been described as a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis, prepared to commit any crime in order to gratify his unbounded ambition, and as the greatest builder in Jewish history. He is known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea, including his expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the port at Caesarea Maritima, the fortress at Masada and Herodium. Vital details of his life are recorded in the works of the 1st century Roman-Jewish historian Josephus.JD98783. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6207 (R); RPC Online I 4904; Meshorer TJC 47; HGC 10 655 (S); BMC Palestine p. 222, 18; Cohen DCA 807, F, obverse off center, earthen deposits, porous, reverse edge beveled, weight 2.951 g, maximum diameter 15.3 mm, die axis 0o, Samaria mint, 37 B.C.; obverse palm frond, uncertain objects (leaves?) on both sides; reverse HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Greek: of King Herod), aphlaston, LΓ (year 3) left,
Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.
The galley refers to Archelaus voyage to Rome at the beginning of his reign. His father had modified his will, naming Archelaus younger brother, Antipas, king. Archelaus sailed to Rome to appeal and was awarded a large share of the kingdom and the title ethnarch. The galley reminded those that thought to challenge him that he had the backing of Rome.JD111344. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6226 (S); Meshorer TJC 71; RPC I 4915; BMC Palestine p. 231, 1, aVF, well centered, earthen encrusted, obv. edge beveled, weight 1.380 g, maximum diameter 14.2 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩ (Greek: of Herod), double cornucopia, adorned with grapes, horns parallel tops to left; reverse EΘNPAHX (or similar, Greek: Ethnarch), war galley facing left with aphlaston, oars, and ram; scarce;
Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.
A brockage occurs when a blank is struck with a previously struck coin which adhered to the opposite die. Click here to read a detailed explanation.
In his will, his father named his younger brother king. Archelaus sailed to Rome to appeal and was awarded a share of the kingdom. The galley reminded those that thought to challenge him that he had the backing of Rome.JD98793. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6228; Meshorer TJC 72; Meshorer AJC 5; SNG ANS 243; RPC Online I 4916; BMC Palestine p. 233, 27, VF, brockage, scratches, green patina, weight 1.070 g, maximum diameter 13.7 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 4 B.C. - 6 A.D.; obverse HPΩ (counterclockwise from below, Greek: of Herod), prow of war galley left; reverse incuse of obverse (brockage, normal reverse: EΘN (Greek: Ethnarch), surrounded by wreath); from an Israeli collection;
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
This was the first Jewish coin type to feature a graven image - the golden eagle Herod erected above the gate of the Temple. After their Pharisee teachers declared it was idolatrous, a group of young men tore down and smashed the golden eagle. Forty of them, along with their teachers, were captured and brought before Herod. They confessed, explaining they were upholding the laws of Moses. Herod had teachers and leaders burned alive, and all the participants were executed.JD111339. Bronze lepton, Hendin 6221, Meshorer TJC 66, RPC I 4909, Sofaer 56, HGC 10 669, F, green patina, flan squared by sprue remnants, earthen deposits, light corrosion, weight 0.767 g, maximum diameter 12.8 mm, die axis 90o, Jerusalem mint, c. 22 - 12 B.C.; obverse BACIΛ HPWΔ (Greek abbreviation: of King Herod), cornucopia; reverse eagle standing right, head right, wings closed;
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
Herod's most famous and ambitious project was his magnificent expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 20 - 19 B.C. Although work on out-buildings continued another eighty years, the new Temple was finished in a year and a half. To comply with religious law, Herod employed 1,000 priests as masons and carpenters. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Today, only the four retaining walls of the Temple Mount remain standing, including the Western Wall.JD110299. Bronze prutah, Meshorer TJC p. 222 & pl. 45, 51; Hendin 6212 (S); HGC 10 656 (S); RPC I 4906; BMC Palestine -, F, dark green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, weak legends, ragged irregular edge beveled on reverse, weight 1.922 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, c. 27 B.C.; obverse HPΩΔ BAΣIΛ (or similar, Greek abbreviation: of King Herod), cross surrounded by closed diadem; reverse tripod table with curved legs on an exergue line, within linear border, no palm fronds; scarce;
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