Herodian coinage

Herodian coinage were coins minted and issued by the

Herod the Great 37–4 BC

diadem

(Reverse) coin of Herod. Ceremonial bowl on a tripod

The coinage of

Persian period to depict a living creature - an eagle, which may have been an allusion to the golden eagle that Herod erected over the entrance to the Second Temple

, and which caused such great offence to the Jews.

Other objects depicted on coins of Herod include a winged

diadem and a tripod holding a ceremonial bowl. These designs are surrounded by the Greek inscription Greek: 'ΗΡΩΔΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ' (of Herod Basileus

, Of King Herod).

The Greek letter Chi representing the "crown of

BT: Horayot, Keritot) are taken to mean that Herod claimed both offices for himself.^[1]

The most common

Hasmonean dynasty. However, Herod used only the Greek script on his coins, not the dual Greek and Hebrew method of the Hasmoneans.^[3]

Herod Archelaus 4 BC–6 AD

The most common coins of

Jewish coins, serving as s reminder of the fertility of the country. Other coins of Archelaus showed the bow of a ship and a laurel wreath.^[4]

A rare double prutah of Herod Archelaus depicts a galley and conjoined double cornucopiae, also inscribed in Greek with his name and title.^[5]

Herod Antipas 4 BC–39 AD

The coinage of

Gaius Caesar Germanicus) on the reverse; iv) only one known example of a coin dated 'year 4' with the inscription ΤΕΤΡΑ—ΗCΔ, ΗΡΩ.^[6]

The coinage of Herod Antipas was minted in four denominations, with the inscription 'ΤΙΒΕΡΙΑC' on the reverse within a wreath. The

Tetrarch" (ΗΡΩΔΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ) with an upright palm branch.^[7]

A variant type depicted an upright reed.

Herod Philip II

30–31 AD

Emperor Augustus, with the Greek inscription 'KAICAPI CEBACTΩ' on the obverse, and 'ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ' on the reverse. Later coins depicted Tiberius on the obverse, with the inscription 'TIBEPIOΣ ΣEBAΣ', and 'ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ' on the reverse. Both types had the facade of a four-columned temple on the reverse, possibly the Temple in Jerusalem. The coins are dated according to the year of the Emperor's reign.^[5]

Herod Agrippa I 37–44 AD

Most common prutah of Agrippa I (Obverse). Inscription "of king Agrippa"

Prutah of Agrippa I (Reverse), inscription "year 5"

Agrippa II on horseback.^[8]

Herod Agrippa II 55–92 AD

pagan symbolism. A Jewish type, for example, depicts a palm branch on the obverse with the inscription 'ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΥ KAICAPOC' (Claudius Caesar) in Greek, and a wreath on the reverse surrounding the inscription 'TIBERIAC' ('Tiberias'), also in Greek. In 66 AD he issued a prutah showing his own bust on the obverse with the Greek inscription 'ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΟΥ' (King Agrippa). The coin's reverse depicts an anchor with the letters L and I on either side, giving the tenth year of the king's reign.^[9] Agrippa II also minted a 'Judaea Capta' coin. This large bronze coin was minted at Tiberias and shows a portrait of Titus on the obverse with the Greek inscription ' KAICAP CEBAC AVTOKP TITOC', while the reverse depicts the goddess Nike

advancing right holding a wreath and palm branch over her shoulder, with a star in upper right field and the inscription 'ETO - KC BA ΑΓΡΙ-PPA'.

Another coin of Agrippa was issued in the name of Claudia, the daughter of Nero. These coins show a temple with a seated figure within and the inscription 'DIVA POPPAEA AVG' on the obverse, while the reverse shows a round temple with a female figure standing within and the Greek inscription 'DIVA CLAVD NER F'.

Salome

Although not a ruler of Judaea,

Armenia Minor she appeared on the reverse of coinage issued by her husband, Aristobulus of Chalcis. Minted in 56-57 AD, only three copies of this coin, all quite worn, have been discovered to date.^[10]

The obverse depicts Aristobulus with the Greek inscription 'BACIΛEΩC APIΣΤΟΒΟΥΛΟΥ' (King Aristobulus), while the reverse shows Salome and, on one example, the Greek inscription 'BACIΛIC ΣΑΛΩΜΗ' (Queen Salome).

References

^ Ancient Jewish Coinage, Ya'akov Meshorer
^ Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 9
^ Reifenberg, A. Ancient Jewish Coins 1965 p.18
^ Article on King Herod Archelaus
^ ^a ^b Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 10
^ Morten Hørning Jensen, 'Herod Antipas in Galilee' Pub.by Mohr Siebeck (2006) pg203
^ Morten Hørning Jensen, 'Herod Antipas in Galilee' Pub.by Mohr Siebeck (2006) pg204
^ Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 11
^ Larry Joseph Kreitzer, 'Striking New Images: Roman Imperial Coinage and the New Testament World' Pub. by Continuum International Publishing Group (1996) pg 22
^ New Portrait of Salome 1 January 2004 Archived 4 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine

External links

[1] Ancient Jewish Coinage, Ya'akov Meshorer

[2] Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 9

[3] Reifenberg, A. Ancient Jewish Coins 1965 p.18

[4] Article on King Herod Archelaus

[pg10-5] Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 10

[6] Morten Hørning Jensen, 'Herod Antipas in Galilee' Pub.by Mohr Siebeck (2006) pg203

[7] Morten Hørning Jensen, 'Herod Antipas in Galilee' Pub.by Mohr Siebeck (2006) pg204

[8] Handbook of Biblical Numismatics pg 11

[9] Larry Joseph Kreitzer, 'Striking New Images: Roman Imperial Coinage and the New Testament World' Pub. by Continuum International Publishing Group (1996) pg 22

[10] New Portrait of Salome 1 January 2004 Archived 4 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine

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