Alexander Jannaeus
Hasmonean (140 – 37 BC)
Biblical Reference: 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees
In 165 BC, Judas Maccabaeus started the revolt against the Seleucid overlords of Judea. After defeating them militarily, he entered Jerusalem in triumph and cleansed the Temple, re-establishing traditional Jewish worship there, and establishing Jewish independence for almost 100 years. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabee victories during these events.
The Maccabee line was eventually broken with rivalry between two brothers Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus bringing about civil war, and in defeat in 37 BC by the Roman backed Herod the Great who became “king of the Jews”.
The coins of the period are all small bronze denominations, often showing the double cornocopia (horn of plenty), the lily, star or anchor.
| Hendin 467
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) AE Prutah. 103-76 BC. Obverse: Lily surrounded by Hebrew inscription ‘Yehonatan the King’ Reverse: BASILEOS ALEXANDROU around Seleucid anchor within circle. Meshorer 5. |
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| Hendin 468
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) AE Lepton. 103-76 BC. Obverse: Upright palm branch surrounded by Hebrew inscription ‘Yehonatan the King’ Reverse: Lily |
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| Hendin 469
Alexander Jannaeus, 103-76 BC, AE16 Prutah or Widow’s mite. Obverse: BASILEWS ALEXANDROU around Seleucid anchor Reverse: Wheel with 8 ray-like spokes, Hebrew inscription ‘Yehonatan the King’, between. Meshorer 8. |
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| Hendin 470
Alexander Jannaeus, 103-76 BC, AE Prutah. Obverse: Star of eight pellets within diadem Reverse: BASILEWS ALEXANDROU, tiny & finely engraved anchor. |
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| Hendin 471
Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) AE Lepton. 103-76 BC. Obverse: Upside down anchor within circle Reverse: Star of eight rays surrounded by a border of dots and Aramaic insctiptions |
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| Hendin 472
Alexander Janaeus, 103-76 BC, Æ Lepton. Obverse: Upside down anchor within circle Reverse: Star of eight rays surrounded by a border. |
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| Hendin 473
Alexander Jannaeus AE13 Prutah. Obverse: Archaic Hebrew inscription, “Yehonatan the High Priest & the Council of the Jews”, surrounded by wreath Reverse: Double cornucopiae adorned with ribbons & pomegranate between. |
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| Hendin 474
Alexander Jannaeus. 103-76 B.C.E. AE Prutah. Obverse: Hebrew inscription (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath Reverse: Double cornucopiae adorned with ribbons; pomegranate between horns. |
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| Hendin 475
Alexander Jannaeus AE Prutah. Obverse: Hebrew inscription (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) of the cursive style script, in wreath Reverse: Double cornucopiae adorned with ribbons; pomegranate between horns. Meshorer 17. |
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| Hendin 476
Alexander Jannaeaus, 103-76 BC, Lead Prutah. Obverse: BASILEWS ALEXANDROU, around anchor inside border Reverse: Aramaic inscription ‘King Alexander’ Meshorer 7. |
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| Hendin 477
Alexander Jannaeaus, 103-76 BC, Lead Prutah. Obverse: star with eight pellets instead of rays surrounded by diadem Reverse: Blank |