Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BC). Prutah Jerusalem. Widow's Mite (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BC). Hasmonean Dynasty. Jerusalem Mint

Bronze Widow's Mite / Prutah (14mm, 2.31g), Rare ; Very Fine, Dark Patina with lovely light desert earthen. Jerusalem mint, struck circa 103-76 B.C.
Reference: Hendin 1150 (5th Edition); Hendin 469 (3rd Edition)
Star of eight rays surrounded by diadem, between the rays, paleo-Hebrew (Yehonatan the King).
Anchor, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of King Alexander).

Historically significant coin to those of both Jewish and Christian faiths, along with people that are interested in studying history. To the Jewish peoples, this coin represents an important historical Jewish king of the Hosmoneon dynasty. To Christians studying biblical history, this coin could be considered as a "Widow's Mite" from the bible (Mark 12:41-44 Luke 24:1-4). The prutah was the smallest (other than the half prutah) circulating coin in the area of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus Christ. It took about 10 prutah coins to buy a loaf of bread during those times. The bible does not make it clear which of the coins was donated by the poor widow, but it could be certain that it was a prutah or half prutah coin. Prutahs of Alexander Jananeus would have been common to circulation and some of his coins were struck in such vast numbers, they could be the least valuable coins to be considered a poor widow's mite.