Hashmonean coinage

Hashmonean coinage are the coins minted by the Hasmonean Kings. Only bronze coins in various denominations have been found; the smallest being a prutah or a half prutah. Two Roman silver denarii's are associated with the Hashmoneans; one has the inscription "BACCIUS JUDAEAS"; with its exact meaning unclear. Both show a man sought to be Yehuda Aristobolus bowing before a camel with a palm branch in his hand.

The Hebrew incriptions found on Hasmonean coins are:
*"Yehochanan Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Yehochanan the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews).
*"Yehochanan Kohen Gadol Rosh Chaver Hayehudim" (Yehochanan the High Priest, Head (and) "Chaver" of the Jews).
*"Yehonatan Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Yehonatan the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews).
*"Yehonatan Hamelech" (Yehonatan the King).
*"Yehudah Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Yehudah the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews).
*"Malke Aleksandre" (Queen? Alexander)
*"Matisyahu Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Matisyahu the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews).
*"Matisyahu HaKohen" (Matisyahu the High Priest).

=The Hasmonean Kingdom and era (164 BCE - 35 BCE)=

The Hashmonean kingdom lasted for 103 years. It was ruled by Simon the son of Matisyahu; then his son Yochanan, then his son Yehuda Aristobolus, then his wife Salome Alexandra, then his brother Alexander Yannai then his sons Hyrcanus and Aristobulus. When the brothers Hyrcanus and Aristoblulus each asked for Rome to intervene on their behalf; as a result Judea fell under the greater rule of Rome as an autonomous province but still with a significant amount of independence. The last Hashmonean king was Aristobulus's son Matisyahu Antigonus.

John Hyrcanus

John Hyrcanus (also known as "Yochanan Hyrcanus") (reigned 134 BCE - 104 BCE, died 104 BCE). ).
Obv: Double cornucopia.
Rev: Five lines of ancient Hebrew script; reading "Yehochanan Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Yehochanan the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews. ]

Alexander Jannaeus

Alexander Jannaeus (also known as Alexander Jannai/Yannai), king of Judea from (103 BCE to 76 BCE), son of John Hyrcanus, inherited the throne from his brother Aristobulus, and married his brother's widow, "Shlomtzion" or "Shelomit".).
Obv: Seleucid anchor and Greek

Rev: Eight-spoke wheel or star within diadem. Hebrew legend inside the spokes: "Yehonatan Hamelech" (Yehonatan the King).]

=Matisyahu Antigonus=

Antigonus the Hasmonean (also known as "Matisyahu Antigonus") was the son of King Aristobulus II of Judea. .
Obv: Menorah with Greek insription "Basileus Antignus" (King Antignus).
Rev: Showbread Table ("Shulchon") with Hebrew incription "Matisyahu HaKohen" (Matisyahu the High Priest).
] ).
Obv: Double cornucopia with ancient Hebrew script; reading "Matisyahu Kohen Gadol Chaver Hayehudim" (Matisyahu the High Priest, "Chaver" of the Jews.
Rev: Greek inscription; reading "Basileus Antignus" (King Antignus). ]

ee also

*List of historical currencies
*Zuz
*Shekel

*Hasmonean
*Maccabees
*Maccabean Revolt
*Judah Maccabeus
*Jonathan Maccabaeus
*Simon Maccabeus
*Mattathias
*Alexander Jannaeus
*John Hyrcanus
*Aristobulus
*Salome Alexandra
*Hyrcanus II
*Aristobulus II