Tantalus - the ancient coin registry

Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 37602

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Tantalus Coin Registry
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Coin type:Greek
Entered by:mrichter   (Seller rating: 5.0 out of 5, based on 13 buyer responses)
Added on: Jun 11, 2010
Ruler: Alexander Jannaeus Hasmonaen
State, City:Judah
Coin:Near VF, green patina with earthen deposits Bronze Prutah
- Paleo-Hebrew inscription reading
- Double cornucopia with pomegranate rising between
Mint: Uncertain (Jerusalem, Samaria or both?) (103 - 76 BCE)
Wt./Size/Axis:1.82g / 15mm / 180
References:
  • TJC group S
  • Hendin 479 (Hyrcanus II)
Acquisition/Sale:Sayles & Lavender Vcoins Store #13764 6/6/10
Notes:Jan 20, 11 - Alexander Jannaeus (also known as Alexander Jannai/Yannai; Hebrew: אלכסנדר ינאי) was king of Judea from 103 BC to 76 BC. The son of John Hyrcanus, he inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus I, and appears to have married his brother's widow, Shlomtzion or "Shelomit", also known as Salome Alexandra, according to the Biblical law of Yibum ("levirate marriage"). His likely full Hebrew name was Jonathan; he may have been the High Priest Jonathan, rather than his great-uncle of the same name, who established the Masada fortress. Under the name King Yannai, he appears as a wicked tyrant in the Talmud, reflecting his conflict with the Pharisee party. He is among the more colorful historical figures, despite being little known outside specialized history. He and his widow (who became queen regnant after his death) had substantial impact on the subsequent development of Judaism. Jannaeus expanded the Hasmonean Kingdom and established the city of Gamla in 81 BCE as the capital for what is now the Golan Heights.

This coin was listed as being issued by Hyrcanus II (Janaeus' successor) but, in an article by David Hendin and Ilan Shachar, "The identity of YNTN on Hasmonaean Overstruck Coins and the Chronology of the Alexander Jannaeus Types" in Israel Numismatic Research 3 (2008), it is said that overstrike evidence has now made it clear that the Yonatan coins have to be issues of Alexander Jannaeus and not coins of Hyrcanus II. At present it looks like neither Hyrcanus II nor Aristobulus II struck their own coins.

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