Reading Judean Coins

To Identify and Understand Them

Contributions by Joseph Sermarini, Salem Alshdaifat, and Aaron Kogan (Aarmale).

Dedicated to our mentors Ya'akov Meshorer and David Hendin.

New collectors often attempt to identify Judean Kingdom coins by simply matching appearance. The types, epigraphy, and general style may be used to identify some types, but does not work well for most types with an inscription on the obverse and a double cornucopia on the reverse. To correctly identify those types, it is usually necessary to also read and match the name and titles in the inscription. This page is intended to help collectors, even those unfamiliar with modern Hebrew, read the Paleo-Hebrew inscriptions on ancient Judaean coins and identify the types.

Hebrew (including Paleo-Hebrew) is read from right to left. Vowels are omitted, though some letters called matres lectionis (אהו"י) are sometimes used to indicate vowels.

The coins below are only examples of the types. There are many variations of each type. Words are often and variously abbreviated. Errors are common. Letter forms vary. Letters and whole words may be missing. Words may be misspelled. Letters are sometimes blundered. Line breaks and even the number of lines vary and do not identify the type. The multiple examples of some of the types below give some indication of the possible inscription variations.

Missing letters or words that are normally present on the type may be indicated below with brackets [ ]. Line breaks on the described examples may be indicated below with /. Het is transcribed below into Latin letters as (HH).

The letters in ancient Judaean coin inscriptions are often unclear and would be impossible to distinguish in isolation but more often may be identified by their context within an inscription. For example, the letter res should have a rounded shape, while dalet should be made from strictly straight lines. Often, however, they look identical on the coins and can only be distinguished by their use within a word.

This page was initially created from numerous posts on the classical numismatic discussion board, which explains the inconsistencies in the photograph and description formats.

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References

Fontanille, J. Menorah Coin Project, website: http://menorahcoinproject.org/
Gitler, H. & O. Tal. The Coinage of Philistia of the Fifth and Fourth Centuries BC: A Study of the Earliest Coins of Palestine. (Milan & New York, 2006). Gitler and Tal
Hendin, D. Guide to Biblical Coins, 6th Edition. (Amphora, 2021).
Hill, G. Catalogue of Greek Coins in the British Museum: Palestine. (London, 1914). BMC Palestine
Hoover, O. Handbook of Coins of the Southern Levant: Phoenicia, Southern Koile Syria (Including Judaea), and Arabia, Fifth to First Centuries BC. (Lancaster, PA, 2010) HGC 10
Kaufman, J. Unrecorded Hasmonean Coins from the J. Ch Kaufman Collection. (Jerusalem, 1995).
Meshorer, Y. Ancient Jewish Coinage. (New York, 1982). Meshorer AJC
Meshorer, Y. A Treasury of Jewish Coins from the Persian Period to Bar Kokhba. (Jerusalem, 2001). Meshorer TJC
Meshorer, Y. & S. Qedar. Samarian Coinage. (Jerusalem, 1999). Meshorer-Qedar
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Vol. 7: Cyprus to India. (West Milford, NJ, 1982). SNG Cop
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, USA, The Collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 6: Palestine - South Arabia. (New York, 1981). SNG ANS

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Alphabets - Aramaic/Paleo-Hebrew - Modern Hebrew

Alef	'			א
Beyt	B			ב
Gimel	G			ג‎
Dalet	D			ד
He	H			ה
Waw	W			ו‎
Zayin	Z			ז
Het	(HH)			ח‎
Tet	T			ט
Yod	Y			י‎
Kaf	K			כ ך
Lamed	L			ל‎
Mem	M			ם‎‎ מ
Nun	N			נ ן‎
Samek	S			ס‎
'Ayin	'			ע‎
Pe	P			‎ף‎ פ‎
Sade				ץ‎ צ
Qop	Q			ק
Res	R			ר‎
Å in/Sin	Å /(SH)			שׁ שׂ‬
Taw	T			ת

In some forms of Classical Hebrew, the letters בגדכפ"ת could have a plosive or spirantized pronunciation. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see these letters transliterated slightly differently in certain contexts.

Matres Lectionis - Vowels Indicated

Alef	'			א	a, e, or o, mostly ā
He	H			ה	a, e, or o, mostly ā or e
Waw	W			ו‎	ō or ū
Yod	Y			י‎	ī or ē

Alef(') is occasionally used to indicate an a, e or o vowel. For example, see Rosh¡ in the next section below.
He(H) is used to indicate an a (often at the end of a word), e or o vowel. For example, see Yehuda below.
Waw(W) may indicate o or u. For example, see Zion, Jerusalem, and Yehuda below.
Yod (Y) indicates i or e. For example, see Zion and Nasi below.

Also see: Paleo-Hebrew Alphabet

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Paleo-Hebrew Names, Titles, Words, and Abbreviations on Ancient Judean Coins

- DHY - YHD - Yehud - Yehud (the Judean province)

- L'RSY - YSR'L - Yisra'el - Israel

- NWYṢ - ṢYWN - Ṣion - Zion

- MLSWRY - YRWSLM - Yerushalayim - Jerusalem

- NN(HH)WHY - YHW(HH)NN - Yehohanan (John Hyrcanus I, 134 - 104 BCE)

- HDWHY - YHWDH - Yehudah (Judah Aristobulus I, 104 - 103 BCE)

- NTNWHY - YHWNTN - Yehonatan (Alexander Jannaeus, 103 - 76 BCE)

- HNTNY - YNTNH - Yonatan (John Hyrcanus II, King 67 BCE, Ethnarch 63 - 40 BCE)

- HYTTM - MTTYH - Mattatayah (Mattathias Antigonus, 40 - 37 BCE)

- NW'MÅ  - (SH)M'WN - Shime'on - Simon (Bar Kokhba, Prince of Israel, 132/133 CE)

- RZ'L' - 'L'ZR - El'azar - Eleazar (the Priest, Bar Kokhba Revolt coins)

- KLM - MLK - melek - king (only used on some Alexander Jannaeus coins)

- 'YSN - - NSY' - Nasi - prince (Simon Bar Kokhba only)

- NHK - KHN - kohen - priest

- LDG - GDL - gadol - high (Priest)

- Å 'R - R'(SH)  - rosh¡ - head (of the council of the Jews, Hendin 1137 and 1138 only)

-  RB(HH) - (HH)BR - hever - council (of the Jews)

- MYDWHY - YHWDYM - Yehudim - Jews

- HÅ WDQ - QDW(SH)H - kedusha - holy

- TWR(HH) - (HH)RWT - harot - freedom

- TL'GL - LG'LT - legeulat - redemption

- LQÅ  - (SH)QL - sheqel - shekel

- YṢ(HH) - (HH)ZY - chetsi - half (1/2)

- 'BR - RB' - reva' - quarter (1/4)

  - TNÅ  - (SH)NT - sh'nat - year

  - TH' - 'HT - echad - one

- MYTÅ  - (SH)TYM - shtayim - two

- SWLÅ  - (SH)LWS - shalosh - three

- 'BR'- 'RB' - arba' - four

- DÅ  - (SH)D - shnat arba' - year 4

- HÅ  - (SH)H - shnat chamesh - year 5

- H - H - heh - the

- W - W - we - and

- L - L - le - of/to/for

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

- NN(HH)WHY - YHW(HH)NN - Yehohanan

If you see two nun's in a row, , , , , or , the king named is Yehohanan (John Hyrcanus I, 134 - 104 B.C.).

Hendin 6168

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6168 (1137), Meshorer TJC I1-I17, Meshorer AJC S, Sofaer 148, HGC 10 629, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest Head Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, A monogram center left, lower left, or lower right.

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top . Includes Rosh (R'(SH) - Head).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KH/N (Priest) H (the) GDL (high) R/'S (Head) (HH)B/R (council) H (the) YH[WDYM] (Jews)

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6168 (1137), Meshorer TJC I, Meshorer AJC S, HGC 10 629, Jerusalem mint, weight 2.236g, maximum diameter 15.0mm, die axis 0^o, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest Head Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, A monogram center left, lower left, or lower right.

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top . Includes Rosh (R'(SH) - Head).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) / GDL (high) R'S (head) / (HH)BR (council) H (the) YH/DHYM (Jews)









Bronze prutah, Hendin 6168 (1137), Meshorer TJC I, Meshorer AJC S, HGC 10 629, Jerusalem mint, weight 1.97g, maximum diameter 14.3mm, die axis 0^o, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest and Head...(remainder of inscription blundered), surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, A monogram lower right.

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line. Res (R) usually with an open top . Includes Rosh (R'(SH) - Head).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KH/N (Priest) H (the) GDL (high) R'/S (head) H (the) (HH)BR (council) YHDY[M] (Jews, the dalet is blundered and looks like beyt ).

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Hendin 6168 var. (careless blundered inscription vice neat wedge style)

Bronze prutah, cf. Meshorer TJC I 59, Hendin 6861 var. (careless blundered inscription vice neat wedge style), HGC 10 629, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehohanan the High Priest Head Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, A monogram lower right.

NOT wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) with an open top . Includes Rosh (R'(SH) - Head). Many letters blundered.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) / H (the) GDL (high) R/'(SH) (Head) (HH)B/R (council) H (the) Y[HWDY]M (Jews) (or similar, some letters obscure/blundered)

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Hendin 6169

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6169 (-), Meshorer TJC I18-I63, Meshorer AJC S, Sofaer 165, HGC 10 629, Jerusalem mint, obverse Palm branch upright, flanked by Hebrew legend (Yehohanan the High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews), reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, monogram below right.

Similar to Hendin 6168 but inscription in classic style, instead of wedge style.

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Hendin 6170

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6170 (1138), Meshorer TJC J, Meshorer AJC T, HGC 10 633 (R1), Jerusalem mint, obverse Palm branch upright, flanked by Hebrew legend (Yehohanan the High Priest Head Council of the Jews), reverse Lily between two grain ears, three dot monogram in left field.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehohanan) K/HN (Priest) GDL (high) / RS (head) H (the) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YHDY[M] (Jews)

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Hendin 6171

Greek letter A above inscription.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6171 (1132); Meshorer TJC A; Meshorer AJC M; SNG ANS 1139, Sofaer p. 242, 6; HGC 10 625, Jerusalem mint, obverse Greek letter A above Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and 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 and no mistakes from the die engraver.

Greek letter A above inscription.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehonanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) GD/L (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) H (the) Y/HWDYM (Jews)

             

Greek letter A above inscription.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehonanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) G/DL (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) H (the) / YHWDYM (Jews)

            

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6171 (1132); Meshorer TJC A; Meshorer AJC M; SNG ANS 1139, Sofaer p. 242, 6; HGC 10 625, Jerusalem mint, weight 1.586g, maximum diameter 13.8mm, die axis 0^o, obverse Greek letter A above Paleo-Hebrew inscription: Yehonanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, all surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, border of dots

Greek letter A above inscription.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehonanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) G/DL (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) H (the) / YHWDYM (Jews)

             

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Hendin 6172

Similar to Hendin 6171 but without a Greek letter A above inscription.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6172 (1133), Meshorer TJC B, Meshorer AJC N, HGC 10 626, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Sometimes with ΑΠ or A monogram on the reverse.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) GD (high) / W (and) L (W and L reversed, L is last letter of high) H (the) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YH[W]DY/M (Jews).

This is one of the finest full script examples I have ever seen of this type (ex Forum Ancient Coins).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) G/DL (high) H (the) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YHDY/M (Jews).








Bronze prutah, Hendin 6172 (1133), Meshorer TJC B, Meshorer AJC N, HGC 10 625, 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, weak monogram (Because of the dark patina on the reverse, you cannot see it, but there is a small bump in the monogram area.); very rare full script.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHWHNN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) [H] (the) GD/L (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) H (the) Y/ HDYM (Jews)







Bronze prutah, Hendin 6172 (1133), Meshorer TJC B, Meshorer AJC N, HGC 10 625, Jerusalem mint, weight 2.268g, maximum diameter 15.2mm, die axis 0^o, obverse Paleo-Hebrew inscription:, Yehonanan the High Priest the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, monogram A left below horns (off flan)

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHWHNN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) [H] (the) G/DL (high) H (the) (HH)B/R (council) H (the) YHD/YM (Jews, last three letters obscure)

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Hendin 6173

Bronze lepton (half prutah), Hendin 6173 (1134), Meshorer TJC C, Meshorer AJC O, HGC 10 632; Jerusalem mint, 1.14gm, 10mm, obverse Paleo-Hebrew inscription: Yehohanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, Lulav (palm-frond); reverse lily, two stalks of grain below, A center left.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription, in two lines above and two lines below the lulav (palm-frond), reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) / GDL (high) H (the) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YHDYM (Jews)








Bronze lepton (half prutah), Hendin 6173 (1134), Meshorer TJC C, Meshorer AJC O, HGC 10 632 (R1); Jerusalem mint, weight 0.727g, maximum diameter 10.2mm, die axis 0^o, obverse Paleo-Hebrew inscription: Yehohanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, Lulav (palm-frond); reverse lily, two stalks of grain below, A center left.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription, in two lines above and two lines below the lulav (palm-frond), reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)NN (Yehohanan) / H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) / GD (high) (HH)BR (council) H (the) / YHDYM (Jews)

Hendin 6174

Hendin 6174 is usually easily recognized because the wreath differs from all others and even appears to be a different plant.
Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top . No Rosh (Head).

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6174 (1135), Meshorer TJC D, Meshorer AJC P, HGC 10 628, Jerusalem mint, 1.82 gm, 14.3 mm, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)/NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) H (the) / GDL (high) W (and) (HH)/BR (council) H (the) Y/DYM (Jews)

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6174 (1135), Meshorer TJC D, Meshorer AJC P, HGC 10 628, 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.

Hendin 6174 is often easily recognized because the wreath differs from all others and even appears to be a different plant.

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top . No Rosh (Head).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) / H (the) LGD (high) W (and) / (HH)BR (council) H (the) Y/DY (Jews)









Bronze prutah, Hendin 6174 (1135), Meshorer TJC D, Meshorer AJC P, HGC 10 628, Jerusalem mint, weight 1.930g, maximum diameter 14.2mm, die axis 45o, obverse Paleo-Hebrew inscription with wedge style script: Yehonanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns

Hendin 6174 is usually easily recognized because the wreath differs from all others and even appears to be a different plant.

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top . No Rosh (Head).

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KH/N (Priest) H (the) GDL (high) W (and) / (HH)BR (council) H (the) Y/DY[M] (Jews)

On Hendin 6175 the letter he has the form in the first two lines, but after may take a crude simplified form like an arrow pointed upward .

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6176 (1139), Meshorer TJC E, Sofaer 82 - 113, HGC 10 627, SNG ANS -, BMC Palestine -, Jerusalem mint, 1.92 gm, 14.3 mm, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the Priest of Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns; nice glossy black patina and earthen highlighting.

Similar to Hendin 6176 but with the letter he appearing as in the first two lines and after usually in crude simplified form like an arrow pointed upward.

Variety without the the words high or Council.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/(HH)NN (Yehohanan) H (the) K/HN (Priest) L (of) Y/HD(or M?) (Jews, final letter blundered)

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6175 (1139), Meshorer TJC E, Sofaer 98 ff., HGC 10 627, SNG ANS -, BMC Palestine -, VF, reverse off center, Jerusalem mint, 1.98g, 13.6mm, 0^o, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and Council, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns.

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Inscriptions on Hendin 6177 are often incomplete, contain many errors and are sometimes illegible.

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6177 (1141), Meshorer TJC F, Meshorer AJC K, HGC 10 631, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and Council Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns; nice glossy black patina and earthen highlighting.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)/NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) / G[D]L (high) W (and) (HH)B[R] (council) / Y[HWDM] (Jews)

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6177 (1141), Meshorer TJC F, Meshorer AJC K, HGC 10 631, Jerusalem mint, 1.99 gm, 14.3 mm, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehonanan the High Priest and council Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns; nice glossy black patina and earthen highlighting.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW(HH)/NN (Yehohanan) H (the) KHN (Priest) / [G]DL (high) W (and) (HH)B[R] (council) / Y[HW]D[M] (Jews)

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

- HDWHY - YHWDH - Yehudah

Hendin 6178

Wedge style inscription. Nun (N) a vertical line . Res (R) usually with an open top .

Bronze Prutah, Hendin 6178 (1142), Meshorer TJC V, HGC 10 635, Jerusalem mint, obverse Hebrew inscription, Yehuda the High Priest and the Head of the Council of the Jews, surrounded by wreath; reverse double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns. Very rare.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHW/DH (Yehuda) H (the) / KH/N (Priest) H (the) GD/L (high) / W (and) (HH)BR (Council) H (the) YHD/YM (Jews)

Bronze prutah, Hendin 6179 (1143), Meshorer TJC U, Meshorer AJC Ja - Jb, HGC 10 634, Jerusalem mint, 2.438g, 14.7mm, 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, scarce.

The Paleo-Hebrew inscription reads, from right to left, as follows:
YHWD/H (Judah) KHN (priest, kaf appearing as nun) GD/WL (high) W (and) (HH)BR (council) / H (the) YHWDY/M (Jews)