Herod the Great Coin – Judean Half Prutah 40-4BCE

Description

Heading: Herod the Great coin – Judean Half Prutah 40-4BCE

Denomination: Copper half prutah

Period: Judea under the rule of Imperial Rome

Date: 40-4 BCE

Origin: Jerusalem mint. Judea 

Condition: VF for type. rare

Obverse: Crossed palm leaves

Reverse: Tripod table. legend around in Greek reads ‘Of King Herod.’ [BACILEOC H]POD[OY]

Size and Weight: 12mm. 0.50g

References:  RPC 4907. Hendin 1185

Features and Provenance: A private UK collection

This coinage may well have been in circulation at the time of the betrothal of Mary and Joseph and probably the birth of Jesus around 6 – 4 BC. Herod had been appointed by Emperor Augustus as king of Judea in 40 BC and it was he who ordered the slaughter of all first born boys under two years of age. after the birth of Jesus. He was known to have been a brutal and miserly man. it was one such tax collection and census that required Joseph to return to his home town of Bethlehem.

The villain of the Christmas story or perhaps the hero as without his part it would still be Saturnalia. the Roman pagan festival. or perhaps the pagan Yuletide.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible