Lot 19
Judaea, Hasmonean Kingdom. Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah). Æ Prutah (2.28 g), 104 BCE. Jerusalem. 'Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews' (Paleo-Hebrew; block-style letters) in five lines within wreath. Rev. Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns, within circular beaded border. (TJC grp. U; Hendin 1143). Attractive sandy-brown desert patina. Extremely fine. Estimate $300UP
Purchased privately at the NYINC, December 1991.
The engraving of this emission of Judah Aristobulus I has linked it to early issues in the name of his brother and successor, Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BCE). It is remarkable that these evidently late coins still refer to Aristobulus I only as High Priest when Josephus clearly states that he was the first of the Hasmonaean rulers to claim the title of king. This coinage may perhaps stand as evidence against whatever textual source Josephus used to craft his rather melodramatic account of the rule of Aristobulus I.
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| Realized $649 |
