MATTATHIAS ANTIGONUS AE PRUTAH
Hendin 6199, About Very Fine, 14.8mm, 1.74grams, Struck Circa. 40 - 37 B.C.E.
Obverse: Paleo Hebrew in retrograde [Mattatayah], within wreath and border of dots
Reverse: Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, ear of barley between horns and border of dots
A Prutah of the last Hasmonean King. Hard to find these with full inscription. This one is nice and has 3 of 5 letters clear and the 4th partial. An interesting coin in the shape of an Alexander Jannaeus widow's mite, but on a doubly thick Mattathias Antigonus flan. This coin type also qualifies as a candidate for the 'mite' referred to in the story of the charitable widow.
