- The Collaborative Numismatics Project
  Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! NumisWiki Is An Enormous Unique Resource Including Hundreds Of Books And Thousands Of Articles Online!!! The Column On The Left Includes Our "Best of NumisWiki" Menu If You Are New To Collecting - Start With Ancient Coin Collecting 101 NumisWiki Includes The Encyclopedia of Roman Coins and Historia Nummorum If You Have Written A Numismatic Article - Please Add It To NumisWiki All Blue Text On The Website Is Linked - Keep Clicking To ENDLESSLY EXPLORE!!! Please Visit Our Shop And Find A Coin You Love Today!!!

× Resources Home
Home
New Articles
Most Popular
Recent Changes
Current Projects
Admin Discussions
Guidelines
How to
zoom.asp
Index Of All Titles


BEST OF

AEQVITI
Aes Formatum
Aes Rude
The Age of Gallienus
Alexander Tetradrachms
Ancient Coin Collecting 101
Ancient Coin Prices 101
Ancient Coin Dates
Ancient Coin Lesson Plans
Ancient Coins & Modern Fakes
Ancient Counterfeits
Ancient Glass
Ancient Metal Arrowheads
Ancient Oil Lamps
Ancient Pottery
Ancient Weapons
Ancient Wages and Prices
Ancient Weights and Scales
Anonymous Follis
Anonymous Class A Folles
Antioch Officinae
Aphlaston
Armenian Numismatics Page
Augustus - Facing Portrait
Brockage
Bronze Disease
Byzantine
Byzantine Denominations
A Cabinet of Greek Coins
Caesarean and Actian Eras
Campgates of Constantine
Carausius
A Case of Counterfeits
Byzantine Christian Themes
Clashed Dies
Codewords
Coins of Pontius Pilate
Conditions of Manufacture
Corinth Coins and Cults
Countermarked in Late Antiquity
Danubian Celts
Damnatio Coinage
Damnatio Memoriae
Denomination
Denarii of Otho
Diameter 101
Die Alignment 101
Dictionary of Roman Coins
Doug Smith's Ancient Coins
Draco
Edict on Prices
ERIC
ERIC - Rarity Tables
Etruscan Alphabet
The Evolving Ancient Coin Market
EQVITI
Fel Temp Reparatio
Fertility Pregnancy and Childbirth
Fibula
Flavian
Fourree
Friend or Foe
The Gallic Empire
Gallienus Zoo
Greek Alphabet
Greek Coins
Greek Dates
Greek Coin Denominations
Greek Mythology Link
Greek Numismatic Dictionary
Hellenistic Names & their Meanings
Hasmoneans
Hasmonean Dynasty
Helvetica's ID Help Page
The Hexastyle Temple of Caligula
Historia Numorum
Holy Land Antiquities
Horse Harnesses
Illustrated Ancient Coin Glossary
Important Collection Auctions
Islamic Rulers and Dynasties
Julian II: The Beard and the Bull
Julius Caesar - The Funeral Speech
Koson
Kushan Coins
Later Roman Coinage
Latin Plurals
Latin Pronunciation
Legend
Library of Ancient Coinage
Life in Ancient Rome
List of Kings of Judea
Medusa Coins
Maps of the Ancient World
Military Belts
Military Belts
Mint Marks
Monogram
Museum Collections Available Online
Nabataea
Nabataean Alphabet
Nabataean Numerals
The [Not] Cuirassed Elephant
Not in RIC
Numismatic Bulgarian
Numismatic Excellence Award
Numismatic French
Numismatic German
Numismatic Italian
Numismatic Spanish
Parthian Coins
Patina 101
Paleo-Hebrew Alphabet
Paleo-Hebrew Script Styles
People in the Bible Who Issued Coins
Imperial Mints of Philip the Arab
Phoenician Alphabet
Pi-Style Athens Tetradrachms
Pricing and Grading Roman Coins
Reading Judean Coins
Representations of Alexander the Great
Roman Coin Attribution 101
Roman Coin Legends and Inscriptions
Roman Keys
Roman Locks
Roman Militaria
Roman Military Belts
Roman Mints
Roman Names
romancoin.info
Rome and China
Sasanian
Satyrs and Nymphs
Scarabs
Serdi Celts
Serrated
Siglos
The Sign that Changed the World
Silver Content of Parthian Drachms
Star of Bethlehem Coins
Statuary Coins
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum
Syracusian Folles
Taras Drachms with Owl Left
The Temple Tax
The Temple Tax Hoard
Test Cut
Travels of Paul
Tribute Penny
Tribute Penny Debate Continued (2015)
Tribute Penny Debate Revisited (2006)
Tyrian Shekels
Uncleaned Ancient Coins 101
Vabalathus
Venus Cloacina
What I Like About Ancient Coins
Who was Trajan Decius
Widow's Mite
XXI

   View Menu
 


XII. Judaea


Baramki, D. The Coin Collection of the American University of Beirut Museum. (Beirut, 1974).
Brett, A. "Mint of Ascalon under the Seleucids" in ANSMN IV. (New York, 1950).
Burnett, A., M. Amandry, et al. Roman Provincial Coinage. (1992 - ).
de Saulcy, F. Numismatique de la Terre Sainte : description des monnaies autonomes et impériales de la Palestine et de l 'Arabie Pétrée. (Paris, 1874).
Fontanille, J. Menorah Coin Project Website. http://menorahcoinproject.org.
Fontanille, J. & S. Gosline. The Coins of Pontius Pilate. (PA, 2001).
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).
Hamburger, H. "Minute coins from Caesarea" in ATIQOT - Journal of The Israel Dept. of Antiquities, Volume I. (Jerusalem, 1955).
Harl, K. "The Coinage of Neapolis in Samaria" in ANSMN 29 (1984), pp. 61–97, pl. 6-15.
Hendin, D. Guide to Biblical Coins. (Amphora, 2010).
Hill, G. Catalogue of Greek Coins in the British Museum: Palestine. (London, 1914).
Hoover, O. Handbook of Coins of the Southern Levant: Phoenicia, Southern Koile Syria (Including Judaea), and Arabia, Fifth to First Centuries BC. HGC 10. (Lancaster, 2010).
Houghton, A., C. Lorber & O. Hoover. Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalog. (Lancaster, 2002-2008).
Kadman, L. The Coins of Aelia Capitolina. (Jerusalem, 1956).
Kadman, L. The Coinage of Akko Ptolemais. (Jerusalem, 1961).
Kadman, L. The Coinage of Caesarea Maritima. (Jerusalem, 1957).
Kindler, A. The Coins of Tiberias. (Tiberias, 1961).
Meshorer, Y. Ancient Jewish Coinage. (New York, 1982).
Meshorer, Y. A Treasury of Jewish Coins from the Persian Period to Bar Kokhba. (Jerusalem, 2001).
Meshorer, Y. City-Coins of Eretz Israel and the Decapolis in the Roman Period. (Jerusalem, 1985).
Meshorer, Y. "One Hundred Ninety Years of Tyrian Shekels" in Studies Mildenberg.
Meshorer, Y. Jewish Coins of the Second Temple Period. (Tel-Aviv, 1967).
Meshorer, Y. The Coins of Aelia Capitolina. (Jerusalem, 1989).
Meshorer, Y. "The Coins of Caesarea Paneas" in INJ 8 (1984-5).
Meshorer, Y. "The Coins of Dora" in INJ 9 (1986).
Meshorer, Y. "Monnaies de Raphia" in RN 1976.
Meshorer, Y. & S. Qedar. The Coinage of Samaria in the 4th Century BCE. (Jerusalem, 1991).
Meshorer, Y. & S. Qedar. Samarian Coinage. (Jerusalem, 1999).
Mildenberg, L. The Coinage of the Bar Kokhba War. Typos VI. (Aarau, 1984).
Mildenberg, L. "Yehud: A Preliminary Study of the Provincial Coinage of Judaea" in Essays Thompson. (Wetteren, 1979).
Prieur, M. & K. Prieur. The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and their fractions from 57 BC to AD 258. (Lancaster, PA, 2000).
Rosenberger, M. The Rosenberger Israel Collection Vol. I: City-Coins of Palestine: Aelia Kapitolina, Akko, Anthedon Antipatirs and Ascalon. (Jerusalem, 1972).
Rosenberger, M. The Rosenberger Israel Collection Vol. II: City-Coins of Palestine: Caesarea, Diospolis, Dora, Eleutheropolis, Gaba, Gaza and Joppa. (Jerusalem, 1975).
Rosenberger, M. The Rosenberger Israel Collection Vol. III: City-Coins of Palestine: Hipos-Sussita, Neapolis, Nicopolis, Nysa-Scytopolis, Caesarea-Panias, Pelusium, Raphia, Sabaste, Sepphoris-Diocaesarea, Tiberias. (Jerusalem, 1977).
Rosenberger, M. The Rosenberger Israel Collection Vol. IV: The Coinage of Eastern Palestine, and legionary countermarks, Bar-Kochba overstruck. (Jerusalem, 1978).
RPC Online - http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/
Sear, D. Greek Coins and Their Values, Volume 2, Asia and Africa. (London, 1979).
Sear, D. Greek Imperial Coins and Their Values. (London, 1982).
Spijkerman, A. The Coins of the Decapolis and Provincia Arabia. (Jerusalem, 1978).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Volume 7: Cyprus to India. (West Milford, NJ, 1982).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, USA, The Collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 6: Palestine - South Arabia. (New York, 1981).
van Alfen, P. "A New Athenian "Owl" and Bullion Hoard from the Near East" in AJN 16-17. (2004-2005).


Aelia Capitolina, the ancient Jerusalem, rebuilt by Hadrian, A.D. 136, after the suppression of the second revolt of the Jews under Simon Barcochba. The new temple of Jupiter Capitolinus occupied the site of that of Jehovah. Imperial colonial, Hadrian to Valerian. Inscr., COL. AEL. CAP. or KAP., with addition, under Hadrian, of COND(ita), and after the reign of Commodus, of the title COMM(odiana) P(ia) F(elix). The most interesting types are Astarte, or perhaps the Tyche of the city, standing in her temple; Zeus enthroned in temple (Madden, Coins of the Jews, p. 247); and the Stone of Elagabal in a chariot (Z. f. N., vii. 219). For coins struck at Jerusalem before its destruction see pp. 768 and 806 ff.

Anthedon or Agrippias, a coast-town, the name of which was changed by Augustus to Agrippias, although the old name Anthedon was subsequently restored. The coins with the head of Livia, rev. Prow, formerly attributed to this place under the name of Agrippia, are now assigned to Agrippia Caesareia (= Phanagoria) in Bosporus (see p. 495). Imperial, Elagabalus to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΑΝΘΗΔΟΝΟC. TypesAstarte in temple; Winged Genius wearing short chiton, raising one hand, and holding a wheel over an altar with the other.

Ascalon. This ancient seaport would appear to have been one of the places of mintage of gold staters and tetradrachms of Alexander the Great (Müller Alexander, Cl. III and IV, Nos. 1472-1484). Subsequently it struck Seleucid regal coins from Antiochus II to Antiochus IX. Autonomous silver and bronze from the second century B.C., mostly dated by the Seleucid era; inscr., ΑΣ or ΑΣ. ΙΕΡΑΣ; types—Head of City, rev.


FIG. 354.

Prow; Head of Goddess, rev. Dove. The city became autonomous in B.C. 104; from this year, or from B.C. 84 (see Svoronos, Νομ. Πτολ., p. 313), are dated both small bronze coins and tetradrachms bearing the portraits of the later Ptolemies, including Cleopatra VII (Fig. 354) , rev. ΑΣΚΑΛΩΝΙΤΩΝ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, Eagle on fulmen (B. M. Guide, Pl. LXII. 18, 19). Imperial, Augustus to Severus Alexander, consisting in the main of bronze, but silver pieces are known of Claudius, Messalina, and Caracalla (Imhoof, Gr. M., pp. 757, 771). Types—Zeus Nikephoros enthroned; Bust of Egyptizing deity (see below). The usual types of the bronze coins are—Galley; the goddess Derceto, or perhaps the Tyche of the city, standing holding aplustre and trident, with a dove beside her; Warlike divinity (ΦΑΝΗΒΑΛΟC, see Rev. Arch., 1904, p. 139; Imhoof, Zur gr. u. röm. Münzk., pp. 241 f.) standing facing, brandishing harpa above his head, and holding round shield and branch in his left; Divinity of Egyptian aspect, with attributes of Osiris, standing on the backs of three lions (Num. Zeit., 1884, p. 293). For other types and varieties see De Saulcy, Terre-Sainte, pp. 178 sqq. The Imperial coins of Ascalon are dated from the era of its autonomy, B.C. 104. A coin of Augustus has a second date which is reckoned from B.C. 58; regnal years of the Emperors are also given.

Eleutheropolis, about twenty miles south-west of Jerusalem. Imperial, Severus to Elagabalus. Inscr., Λ. CΕΠ. CЄΟΥΗ. ЄΛЄΥΘЄ. (Lucia Septimia Severiana Eleutheropolis). Era begins A.D. 199/200 (Kubitschek, Oesterr. Jahresh., vi. pp. 50 f.). TypeJupiter Heliopolitanus standing between two bulls (cf. Neapolis Samariae).

Gaza, an ancient city about twenty miles south of Ascalon, which Herodotus (iii. 5) mentions as scarcely inferior in size to Sardes, the capital of Lydia. Its coinage in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. has been identified by Six (Num. Chron., 1877, p. 221), and consists of drachms and smaller coins of Attic weight and of various types, of which the following are the most important :—

Janiform diademed male and female heads, or head of Athena as on coins of Athens.עזה in Phoenician characters, Owl in incuse square, sometimes before the fortified wall of a city.
AR Dr.
Id.עז Forepart of horse; incuse square.
AR Drachm.
Id.ΑΘΕ Head of Athena; incuse square.
AR Drachm.
Head of Athena.עז Owl facing; incuse square.
AR Drachm.
Female head.Head of Seilenos facing; incuse square.
AR Drachm.
Similar.Bust of Bes facing; incuse square.
AR Drachm.
Bearded helmeted head. [Brit. Mus.; Pilcher, Proc. Soc. Bibl. Arch., 1908, pp. 45 f.]יהו in Phoenician characters, Jahveh seated on car with winged wheel.
AR Dr.

For other early coins which may have been struck at Gaza see Babelon, Perses Achém., pp. lv ff.

After its capture by Alexander regal coins were struck there under Ptolemy II and III (Svoronos, Νομ. Πτολ., ii. pp. 123 f., p. 165), and with the letter מ (see below) under Demetrius I of Syria.

The autonomous bronze money of Gaza dates from an era commencing B.C. 61 (Schürer, Sitzungsb. Berl. Akad., 1896, xli. pp. 1065 f.). Inscr., ΓΑ, ΓΑΖΑ, ΔΗΜΟΥ ΓΑΖΑΙΩΝ, ΔΗΜΟΥ CЄΛ (?) ΤWΝ ЄΝ ΓΑΖΗ (see Maonald, Hunter Cat., iii. p. 282), ΓΑΖΑΙΤΩΝ, ΓΑΖЄΑΤΩΝ, &c., with addition sometimes of honorific titles, ΙЄΡ. ΑCΥ. Imperial, Augustus to Gordian, dated according to the era B.C. 61, but also in Hadrian 's time according to a new era commencing in A.D. 128, with ΕΠΙ., probably referring to the επιδημια of Hadrian (Maonald, op. cit., p. 283). Silver of Caracalla (Imhoof, Gr. M., p. 764) and Diadumenian (Id. Rev. Suisse, viii. p. 44). Inscr., ΓΑΖΑΙΩΝ, ΓΑΖΑ, &c., usually with the addition of the Phoenician letter מ, perhaps the initial of the divinity ΜΑΡΝΑ, whose name, as well as those of ΜЄΙΝW and ЄΙW, is met with on coins of this city. The temple of Marna at Gaza called the Marneion was identified with that of the Cretan Zeus (De Saulcy, Terre- Sainte, p. 210), and Meino and Eio are clearly Minos and Io. There is reason to suppose that these divinities were originally introduced into Crete and Greece from Phoenicia. Among the types of the coins of Gaza we may mention a Temple containing statues of Artemis and Apollo; Turreted bust of Tyche, or her entire figure, standing, with a bull at her feet; Tyche and Io joining hands; &c. (see also Num. Chron., 1862, p. 120).

Nicopolis-Emmaus. There were two cities called Nicopolis in Judaea (see L. Hamburger, Frankfurter Münzblatter, i. (1899), Nos. 8 and 9).

One, close to Jerusalem (for the site see Murray 's Syria and Palestine, 1892, p. 130), was founded as a military colony by Vespasian in A.D. 71, from which year its coins are dated. The second (Amwas, near Latron, between Ramleh and Jerusalem) was refounded by Julius Africanus circa A.D. 221. To the former are to be attributed quasi-autonomous and imperial coins (inscr. ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤWΝ; types—Wolf fighting hog, Zeus holding Nike, &c.) of Faustina Sen., M. Aurelius, and Lucius Verus. To the second Hamburger assigns coins with inscr. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙC; type—Zeus Heliopolitanus standing between two bulls; &c. But as the city appears to be entitled CЄΟΥΗ. ΑΝΤWΝ., as well as ΑΝΤWΝЄΙΝΟ- ΠΟΛΙC, these coins may be of Caracalla (cf. N. Z., 33, p. 13) and belong to the other Nicopolis.

Raphia, on the sea-coast between Gaza and Rhinocolura, an ancient city restored by Gabinius B.C. 58, the year from which its era dates. Imperial, M. Aurelius and Commodus to Philip Junior. Inscr., ΡΑΦΙΑ or ΙЄΡΑ ΡΑΦΙΑ. TypesArtemis standing; Female figure seated between two small figures, on the head of one of whom she places her hand; City-goddess holding infant and cornucopia.

Kings, Princes, and Roman Procurators of Judaea

[See especially Madden, Coins of the Jews, 1881; Kennedy in Hastings Dict. of the Bible, art. 'Money ' (1900); Th. Reinach, Jewish Coins, 1903.]

The history of the coins of the Jews has been so thoroughly investigated by Madden (op. cit.), Merzbacher (Zeit. f. Num., 1878), Hamburger (ib., 1892), and Th. Reinach (op. cit.), not to mention older writers, such as De Saulcy and Cavedoni, that the barest outline will suffice in the present work. Permission was given by Antiochus VII Sidetes to the Jews to strike coins in 139 BC, but was probably rescinded as soon as he felt strong enough to do so. Hyrcanus I finally minted the first coins in 132 BC.

(α) Hasmonaean Princes.

John Hyrcanus I, B.C. 135-104. Small bronze coins, initially (132-130 BC) with inscr. BASILEWS ANTIOXOU EUERGETOU flanking upside down anchor, lily reverse.

Later, Hyrcanus minted coin in his own name, usually with inscr., יהוחנן הכהן הגדל וחבר היהודים (Jehochanan Hakkohen Haggadol Vecheber Haje- hudim), Johanan the High Priest and the Commonwealth (?) of the Jews, rev. Double cornucopia and poppy-head. (For varieties see Madden, p. 76.)

Judas Aristobulus, B.C. 104-103. Small bronze, with inscr., היהודיםיהודה הכהן גדל וחבר היהודיםיהודה הכהן , Jehudah Hakkohen Gadol Vecheber Haje- hudim (and variations), Judas the High Priest and the Commonwealth (?) of the Jews, rev. Double cornucopia and poppy (Madden, p. 82).  

Alexander Jannaeus, B.C. 103-76. Small bronze of three classes (α and β) Regal, with Hebrew and Greek inscr., יהונתן המלך (Jehona- than Hammelek), 'The King Jehonathan, ' rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ- ΔΡΟΥ. Types—Flower and Anchor, or Star and Anchor. (γ) Pontifical. coins resembling those of his predecessor, but reading יהונתן הכהן הגדל וחבר היהודים , Jonathan or Jehonathan Hakkohen Haggadol Vecheber Hajehudim.

Alexandra Salome, B.C. 76-67, widow of Alexander Jannaeus. Small bronze with Star and Anchor. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣ. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔ., and an obliterated Hebrew inscr. (Madden, p. 92).

John Hyrcanus II, B.C. 69, 63-57, and 47-40. Small bronze, with Star and Anchor, and bilingual inscr. (Madden, p. 93). Also bronze, obv. Flower, rev. Palm (op. cit., p. 96). Inscr., היהדיהוחנן הכהן הגדל החבר היהדיהוחנן הכהן (Jehochanan Hakkohen Haggadol Hachaber Hajehud[im]). Many of Hyrcanus ' coins are overstruck on types of Jannaeus, and were prresumably minted not long afterthe latter 's death. This suggests that they may have been struck in Hyrcanus ' name by his mother, Salome Alexandra, who inherited Jannaeus ' kingdom, but was obviously unable to become High Priest due to her gender.

Alexander II (?), B.C. 65-49. To this prince M. Reichardt would attribute small bronze coins of the Star and Anchor type, reading ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ and ....(?)עלצדרעש ג (Alexadras Gadol ?), or עלכצד[ר]עש (Madden, p. 97).

Antigonus (Mattathias), B.C. 40-37. Bronze; obv. Flower, rev. Palm. Inscr., מתתיה הכהן הגדל החבר היהד (Mattathiah Hakkohen Haggadol Hacheber Hajehud[im]), and bilingual coins with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙ ΓΟΝΟΥ, and similar Hebrew legend equivalent to 'Mattathias the High Priest and the Commonwealth (?) of the Jews. ' TypesWreath and Double or single cornucopia; Seven-branched candlestick; etc.

(β) Idumaean Princes.

Herod the Great, B.C. 37-4. Bronze. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΗΡΩΔΟΥ. Types—Helmet, rev. Tripod or Shield; Caduceus, rev. Pomegranate; Aplustre, rev. Palm; Tripod, rev. Wreath; Anchor, rev. Two cornucopias; Eagle, rev. Cornucopia; etc. (Madden, pp. 105 sqq.). Some coins bear the regnal date LΓ (year 3) and ΤΡΙ(χαλκον) in monogram. The eagle probably refers to the golden eagle which Herod set up on the pediment of the Temple at Jerusalem, thus provoking a revolt.

Herod Archelaus, B.C. 4 - A.D. 6. Bronze. Inscr., ΗΡWΔΟΥ ЄΘΝΑΡΧΟΥ, often abbreviated. Types—Anchor, rev. Wreath; Prow, rev. Wreath; Double cornucopias, rev. Galley; Grapes, rev. Helmet; etc. (Madden, pp. 114 sqq.).

Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilaea and Peraea, B.C. 4 - A.D. 40. Bronze, usually with regnal dates. Inscr., ΗΡWΔΟΥ ΤЄΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ, Palm- branch, rev. ΤΙΒЄΡΙΑC, Wreath; or ΗΡΩΔΗC ΤЄΤΡΑΡΧΗC, Palm- branch, with name of Emperor, ΓΑΙΟΥ (Caligula) on reverse in a wreath. These coins were struck at the city of Tiberias, built by Antipas, and named after the Emperor Tiberius (Madden, p. 121).

Herod Philip II, ruler of Batanaea, Trachonitis, and Hauranitis, B.C. 4-A.D. 33. Imperial, Æ Augustus and Tiberius, rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ or ΕΠΙΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥΚΤΙC(του). Type—Temple of Augustus at Caesareia-Panias (Madden, p. 125).

Herod Agrippa I, A.D. 37-44. Bronze, without or with heads of Emperors, Caius and Claudius. Inscr., ΒΑCΙΛЄWC ΑΓΡΙΠΑ (sic), Umbrella, rev. Three ears of corn and regnal date; ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑC ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙCΑΡ, Head of Agrippa, rev. ΚΑΙCΑΡΙΑ Η ΠΡΟC [CЄΒΑCΤΩ] ΛΙΜЄΝΙ, Tyche standing, struck at Caesareia; Head of Claudius, rev. ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑC ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙCΑΡ, Two figures in a temple.

On some specimens the alliance of Agrippa with Claudius, when all Herod 's kingdom was given to him, seems to be commemorated by the following inscription, which is, however, only partly legible—ΔΗΜ .. ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝ Κ. CΥΜ. ΧΙ. ΑΥ. ΒΑC. ΑΓΡΙΠΑ ... ΚΛΗΤΟΝ—and of which no entirely satisfactory reading has been yet suggested (see Madden, p. 137).

Agrippa I and II. Bronze; obv. Head of Agrippa I, obv. [Β]ΑΙΣΙΛΕΥΙΣ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ, rev. [ΑΓΡΙ]ΠΠΑ ΥΙΟΥ ΒΑC[ΙΛΕΩC], Agrippa II on horse-back (Maonald, Hunter Cat., iii. p. 290).

Herod, brother of Agrippa I, was king of Chalcis A.D. 41-48. Bronze. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛ. ΗΡΩΔΗC ΦΙΛΟΚΛΑΥΔΙΟC (Imhoof, Porträtköpfe. Pl. VI. 20), rev. Name of Claudius.

Agrippa II, A.D. 48-100. Small bronze coin struck at Agrippias. Inscr., [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ ΑΓΡΙΠΠ[ΕΩΝ], Head of Agrippa II L Ε (year 5), rev. [ΒΑΣ. ΑΓΡΙΠ]ΠΑ ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙΣΑ[ΡΟΣ] (?), Two cornucopias crossed (Z. f. N., xiii. Pl. IV. 17). Also bronze, without or with heads of Emperors, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. The coins with the head of Nero were struck at Neronias (Caesareia Panias). Inscr., ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΓΡΙΠΠΟΥ, &c., and various types, among which are Tyche holding cornucopia and ears of corn; Nike holding wreath and palm, or inscribing shield, &c. To A.D. 77 the coins are usually dated by an era beginning A.D. 48; afterwards by an era of A.D. 60 (Maonald, Hunter Cat., iii. p. 291).

Aristobulus, son of Herod king of Chalcis, and great-grandson of Herod the Great, was king of Chalcis and parts of Armenia, A.D. 54-92 (?). Bronze. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΒΟΥΛΟΥ, with the name of Nero or Vespasian on reverse (Rev. Num., 1883, p. 145, and 1900, p. 484).

Aristobulus and Salome, A.D. 54-92 (?). Bronze. ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΡΙCΤΟ- ΒΟΥΛΟΥ, rev. ΒΑΙCΙΛΙCCΗC CΑΛΩΜΗC, with portraits. (Imhoof, Porträtköpfe, Pl. VI. 21 and 22).

(γ) Roman Procurators of Judaea, A.D. 6-66.

On the occasion of the banishment of Herod Archelaus, A.D. 6, Judaea was added to the province of Syria, and the government administered by a Procurator subordinate to the Praefect of Syria. Of these Procurators (A.D. 6-66) there is a numerous class of small bronze coins resembling in style and fabric the contemporary small money of the Idumaean Princes, and dated according to the regnal years of the emperors. Augustus (years 33, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, under the Procurators Coponius, Ambivius, and Rufus); Tiberius (1 (?), 2-5, 6 (?), 11, 16-18, Procurators Valerius Gratus and Pontius Pilate); Claudius(13, 14, Procurator Felix); and Nero (year 5, Procurator Felix). These coins bear, as a rule, an inanimate object (Ear of corn, Cornucopia, Lituus, etc.), the name of the reigning emperor or emperors, and the regnal year in Greek characters (Madden, Coins of the Jews, pp. 173 sqq.).

(δ) Coins of the First Revolt of the Jews, A.D. 66-70.

Silver shekels were issued throughout the revolt, presumably as a replacement for the shekels of Tyre which had previously been used to pay the Temple tax. Jewish law required that this be paid in pure silver, and previously this requirement had presumably been felt to override the ban on images. A different, and stricter, interpretation may well have prevailed once war broke out, requiring the production of shekels without images.

FIG. 355.

שקל ישראל (Shekel Israel), Cup or chalice, above which א, ב, ג, or ד (numerals 1 to 4), referring to the official years of Simon 's rule corre- sponding to B.C. 139-136. On the coins of years 2-4 the numeral is preceded by ש (for Shenath, year).ירושלם קדשה (Jerushalem Kedoshah), or ירושלים הקדושה (Jerushalaim ha-kedo- shah), 'Jerusalem the Holy, ' Branch with three buds (Fig. 355)
AR Shekel 220 grs.

The half-shekels are similar, but read חצי השקל, Chatzi ha-shekel (half-shekel).

The epithet 'Holy ' on these coins may be compared with the ordinary Greek coin-legend ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ on the money of many Syrian cities.

Bronze of the second and third years: Obv. חרות ציון (deliverance of Zion) Vine-leaf, rev. שנת שתים or שנת שלוש (year two or three) Two-handled vase. Also base silver of year 2 of the same types (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 293). Bronze of the fourth year, with the legends, obv. שנת ארבע, רביע שנת ארבע חצי , or שנת ארבע, rev. לגאלת ציון (in the fourth year, one half or one quarter—the redemption of Zion); types—(1) obv. Ethrog (citron) between lulabs (bunches of twigs), rev. Palm-tree between two baskets; (2) obv. Two lulabs, rev. Ethrog; (3) obv. Chalice, rev. Lulab between two ethrogs.

(ε) Coins struck in Palestine commemorating the Capture of Jerusalem, A.D. 70.

After the successful termination of the Jewish war Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian caused coins to be struck in Judaea with the legend

ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ ΕΑΛWΚΥΙΑΣ, and in Rome with the Latin legend IVDAEA CAPTA, IVDAEA DEVICTA, etc. Full descriptions are given in Madden (pp. 207 sqq.).

(ζ) Coins of the Second Revolt of the Jews under Simon Barcochba, A.D. 133-135.


FIG. 356.

(1) Silver shekels, or debased Attic tetradrachms, mostly restruck on tetradrachms of Antioch of the reign of Trajan; types—obv. Portico with four columns, rev. Ethrog and lulab or Lulab alone (Fig. 356); inscr., ירושלם (Jerusalem) or שמעון (Simon), rev. שנת אחת לגאלת ישראל (first year of the redemption of Israel), ש ב לגאלת ישראל (second year of the deliverance of Israel), or לחרות ירושלם (deliverance of Jerusalem). The name of Simon occurs only on the shekels of year 2. A star above the portico alludes to his title 'son of the star '. (2) Silver restruck over Roman denarii (Galba to Hadrian); types—Vase, Palm-branch, Wreath, Bunch of grapes, Two trumpets, &c. Inscr., אלעזר הכוהן (Eleazar the Priest), rev. שנת אחת לגאלת ישראל (first year of the redemption of Israel); or obv. שמעון (Simon), rev. לחרות ירושלם (deliverance of Jerusalem), sometimes also with the date year 2. (3) Bronze of two de- nominations, undated, or of year 1 or 2; some of year 1 read שמעון נשיא ישראל (Simon, prince of Israel); some of year 2 simply ירושלם TypesAmphora, rev. Inscription in wreath.

The series of the coins of Jerusalem closes with those of the Roman colony, Aelia Capitolina, described above (p. 803).


Dictionary of Roman Coins








Please add updates or make corrections to the NumisWiki text version as appropriate.
Judaea.  IVD - Judaea, a region of Syria, comprising the whole country of Palestine, but more strictly speaking that part inhabited by the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It was conquered by Pompey, and given at first to Herod, then to Antiochus, next to Philip, and to a second Herod, and after that time it became a province of the Roman empire. But, revolting against tyranny and exactions of Gessius Florus, the people of Judaea waged a long and bloody war with the Romans. Flavius Vespasianus was, however, at length sent by Nero against them with a vast army, and brought them into complete subjection to Roman power. He took and entirely destroyed Jerusalem, and for nearly 2000 years after that time the Jews, driven from their country, were scattered as wanderers over the face of the earth.

It was under Vespasian that those medals were first struck which record the victories gained by the Romans over the Jews. They bear the inscription of


IVDAEA, IVDAEA CAPTA, IVDAEA DEVICTA, DE IVDAEIS, and their types are most interestingly allusive to the conquest of Judaea, and to that awfully destructive war which ended in making "Jerusalem a heap of stones." There are coins of Titus, bearing the same character.

On a large brass of Hadrian (in the Farnese Museum), with the legend IVDAEA, the vanquished country is personified by a woman bending the knee before that Emperor. She is accompanied by three children bearing palms, and who, according to Winkelman, are intended to represent the three divisions of the province, namely, Judaea, Galilaea, and Patraea. Another coin of the same emperor represents a togated


figure (Hadrian himself), standing opposite a female clothed in the stola, and holding a patera over an altar, by the side of which is a victim for sacrifice. By the side of the woman stands a child; and two children, bearing palms, approach the emperor: in the exergue is inscribed IVDAEA

On a very rare first brass of Vespasian, bearing the usual mark of Senatorial authority, but without legend, the emperor, with radiated head, is represented standing, with his right foot placed on a ship 's prow, or on a helmet; he holds the hasta in his left, and a victoriola in his right hand; before his feet an old man is kneeling, behind whom, under a palm tree, stands a woman in a tunic, raising her hands towards the prince, in the act of supplication.


There is a large bronze coin, which Vaillant gives as struck under Titus, and which agrees with it in type except that the head of the Emperor is helmeted. This medal is described to bear the legend IVDAEA.

View whole page from the Dictionary Of Roman Coins
All coins are guaranteed for eternity