Origin: Israel (Jerusalem)
Circa: 63 BC to 40 BC
Collection: Jewish Coin Pendants
Medium: Bronze-Gold
The Hasmoneans ruled a Jewish state comparable to David's kingdom, and later Herod's, from 142 - 63 B.C. A family of Jewish high priests and kings, the Hasmoneans were descended from Mattathias, the father of Judas Maccabaeus. Yehohanan Hyrcanus II was the son of Alexander Jannaeus (104/3 - 76), and queen Salome Alexandra (76-67). After her death Hyrcanus quarrelled over the succession with his brother Aristobulus; but Hyrcanus was aided by the great Roman general Pompey who appointed him ethnarch (viceroy) of Judea, though the kingdom was to be administered by Rome. Captured in the Parthian invasion of 40 B.C., Hyrcanus was replaced by a son of his brother, who issued the last Hasmonean coins. On the obverse of this coin is a wreath surrounded by inscription and the Greek letter A. The reverse shows a double cornucopia encompassed by a pelleted circle. The pride of great Jewish leadership still resonates from this coin, handsomely set and undiminished by time. - (FJ.6466)

Antiquities
Ancient Jewelry