Pair of gold cufflinks (14 ct) with original "Widow's Mite" coins, 103-76 B.C.E.

Pair of gold cufflinks (14 ct) with original "Widow's Mite" coins, 103-76 B.C.E.

From archaeological excavations we know that the majority of coins circulating in Jerusalem in the time of Jesus were the lepta or prutot, loose change, struck by the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties and the Roman governors of Judaea under the Emperors Augustus and Tiberius. In addition there were smaller number of Seleucid, Ptolemaic and Nabataean coins. We consider that any small bronze coin that circulated in Jerusalem in the time of Jesus can be considered a legitimate candidate for the coins mentioned in Mark 12 and Matthew.

Size: 1.5 X 1.7 centimeter approximately per each.

Total weight (of both cufflinks and coins): 12.7 grams approximately.

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

DESCRIPTION

A bronze prutah of Alexander Jannaeus, ca. 103-76 B.C.E.

Obv: Anchor surrounded by Greek inscription ('of King Alexander').

Rev: Star within diadem; between the rays, paleo-Hebrew inscription ('Yehonatan the King').

Weight:	12.7 gr
Measurement:	1.7 x 1.5 cm