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Auction LI 12 Jan 2021
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Judah Aristobulus I (Yehudah), 104-103 BCE. AE Prutah (2.07g). Jerusalem. 'Yehudah the High Priest and the Council of the Jews' (Paleo-Hebrew) in wedge style characters within wreath. Reverse: Double cornucopia adoerned with ribbon, pomegranate between horns, border of dots. Hendin 1142; TJC V, AJC Jc. Uniform brown patina. Unusually well centered. Very Fine. Estimated Value $250
The engraving of this emission of Judah Aristobulus I has linked it to early issues in the name of his brother and successor, Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BCE). It is remarkable that these evidently late coins still refer to Aristobulus I only as High Priest when Josephus clearly states that he was the first of the Hasmonaean rulers to claim the title of king. This coinage may perhaps stand as evidence against whatever textual source Josephus used to craft his rather melodramatic account of the rule of Aristobulus I.
The engraving of this emission of Judah Aristobulus I has linked it to early issues in the name of his brother and successor, Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BCE). It is remarkable that these evidently late coins still refer to Aristobulus I only as High Priest when Josephus clearly states that he was the first of the Hasmonaean rulers to claim the title of king. This coinage may perhaps stand as evidence against whatever textual source Josephus used to craft his rather melodramatic account of the rule of Aristobulus I.