First Jewish Coin John Hyracanus I

Description

(The First Jewish Coin), Ancient Jewish Bronze Prutah coin of John Hyrcanus I (YEHOHANAN) With Antiochus VII
Dated: 132 – 130 Bc.

Obv: ( of King Antiochus, benefactor); inverted anchor
Rev: Lily.

the first coins struck under the edict were small bronze pieces issued in Jerusalem by John Hyrcanus I, As a vassel of Antiochus VII, around 132/130BC.
John Was the son of Simon The Maccabee, and The nephew of the revolutionary hero Judas Maccabee.
on the obverse is a lily, an often-used flower decoration for the Temple and priestly robes.
the reverse shows an upside-down ancher, as it would be stored on a gally ready for use.
the name of antiochus in greek is on either side of the ancher.
the persistent use of the ancher during the next 100 years of coinage referred to the importance of the seacoast cities of the holy land.
Ref: Money of the Bible/page 38.
In very good condition and Rare.