Silver pendant with original bronze prutah of Antiochus VII (Sidetes), mint of Jerusalem, 131-130 B.C.E. – "Lily of ...

Silver pendant with original bronze prutah of Antiochus VII (Sidetes), mint of Jerusalem, 131-130 B.C.E. – "Lily of Jerusalem".

This coin was struck in Jerusalem in the years 131-130 BCE. As its size and fabric testify it is part of the family of Jewish prutot. It was struck at a time when Judaea was under the Hellenistic rule of the Seleucid king Antiochus VII, with the vassal King Yohanan Hyrcanus sitting in Jerusalem. The coin itself is a fascinating political document. Antiochus VII respected Jewish feelings by not depicting his portrait on the coin.

Furthermore, the reverse side shows a lily, one of the symbols of Jerusalem. The lily was prominent in the Temple of Solomon decorating the capitals of Joachin and Boaz the two columns that stood at the entrance.

Size: 2.6 X 1.7 centimeter approximately.

Total weight (the pendant and the coin): 5.2 grams approximately.

Ideal gift from the Holy Land. The item includes an elegant certificate of authenticity.

DESCRIPTION

A bronze prutah of Antiochus VII (Sidetes), mint of Jerusalem, 131-130 B.C.E.

Obv: Anchor; on both sides, a Greek inscription BAΣIɅEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY ('of king Antiochus the benefactor') and below it, date.

Rev: Lily flower.

Weight:	5.2 gr
Measurement:	1.7 x 2.6 cm