Hasmonean coinage


Hasmonean coinage are the coins minted by the Hasmonean kings. Only bronze coins in various denominations have been found; the smallest being a prutah or a half prutah. Two Roman silver denarii are associated with the Hasmoneans; one has the inscription BACCIVS IVDAEAS; with its exact meaning unclear. Both show a man thought to be Yehuda Aristobolus bowing before a camel with a palm branch in his hand.
The Hebrew inscriptions found on Hasmonean coins are:
The era of Hashmonean rule lasted for 103 years. It was founded by High Priest Simon son of Matityahu, and consolidated by his son Yochanan surnamed Hyrcanus. Thereafter followed Yehuda Aristobolus, Salome Alexandra, Alexander Yannai and then feuding brothers Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus. Hyrcanus and Aristoblulus each asked the Roman Republic to intervene on their behalf; as a result Judea fell under the greater rule of Rome as an autonomous province but still with a significant amount of autonomy. The last Hashmonean king was Aristobulus's son Matityahu Antigonus.
In 138BCE the Seleucid King Antiochus VII Sidetes published a royal decree, granting Simon Maccabaeus the right to mint his own coinage.

John Hyrcanus

John Hyrcanus . Minted prutot that said:
He also had monograms on some prutot on the cornucopia side, just left of the cornucopia, some resembling Ά, Π or Λ.

Alexander Jannaeus

Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judea from, son of John Hyrcanus, inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus, and married his brother's widow, Shlomtzion or "Shelomit".
anchor and Greek Legend: BASILEOS ALEXANDROU "King Alexander".
Rev: Eight-spoke wheel or starburst within diadem. Hebrew legend inside the spokes: "Yehonatan Hamelech".

Matityahu Antigonus

Antigonus the Hasmonean was the son of King Aristobulus II of Judea.
Obv: Menorah with Greek inscription "BASILEWS ANTIGONOY".
Rev: Showbread Table with Hebrew inscription "Matityahu HaKohen".
Obv: Double cornucopia with ancient Hebrew script; reading "Matityahu Kohen Gadol Chever Hayehudim".
Rev: Greek inscription; reading "BASILEWS ANTIGONOY".