Three Coins of Judaea and Phoenicia

Abstract

It is a fine specimen of famous sPqo1tm commonly assigned to Simon Maccabaeus (Seleucid years 170-177 = 142/1-135/4 B. C.) 1 real founder of IHasmonean dynasty.2 The obverse of seqel bears following inscription: 7'H1V Ot (lthe seqel of Israel ); type is a cup or a sacred vessel of Temple, above which are letters O, viz.: I iUd or 77ftl ([struck] in [the] year 2 [of Simon's rule] o). The reverse reads tVIIPM W'71VI (c Jerusalem Holy), and type is a flowering branch, perhaps Aaron's rod.8 The letters of both these inscriptions, though distinctly cursive in character, are stereotyped in form and belong to oldest Hebrew alphabet, identical with Phoenician. Thus, obverse inscription shows value of coin and its nationality, to make a difference between it and Seqdlim of neighbouring cities 4; reverse inscription bears name of Jerusalem and its title the Holy, which also belonged to many other Syrian and Phoenician cities,5 and had been officially acknowledged by Seleucidae.6 The types of this seqel and omission of ruler's name in its inscriptions give it a pure sacerdotal and republican character, destitute of any royal claim: a right coin for such an historical moment in which overthrow of kings meant peace and tranquillity for Jewish people. This character continued in all coinage of Ilasmonean family, until rule of Alexander Iannaeus (103-76 B. c.) and his widow Alexandra Salome (76-67 B. C.).8