Herod I (the Great), 40-4 BC, 1 Prutah, Judea

Description

Denomination: Copper Prutah

Period: Judea. under the rule of Imperial Rome

Date: 40-4 BC

Origin: Jerusalem mint. Judea

Condition: AVF. desert patina

Obverse: Closed diadem with no cross. legend around

Reverse: Tripod flanked by palm fronds

Size and Weight: 15mm. 1.55g

References: Hendin 1182

Features and Provenance: This coinage may well have been in circulation at the time of the betrothal of Mary and Joseph and probably the birth of Jesus. Herod had been appointed by Emperor Augustus as king of Judea in 40 BCE 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 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