History of the Artifact
The coin commonly referred to today as the “Widow’s Mite” was originally a small bronze denomination known as a prutah, minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, a Hasmonean king and high priest who ruled Judea from 103 to 76 BC. These coins were produced in enormous quantities and circulated widely throughout Judea during a period of political consolidation and expansion. Alexander Jannaeus was a member of the Hasmonean dynasty, a priestly line that rose to power following the successful revolt of the Maccabees against Seleucid rule in the second century BC. Under his reign, Judea expanded its borders and sought to assert greater independence, although this was often accompanied by brutal internal strife, especially between rival Jewish sects such as the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The prutot minted by Jannaeus featured symbols that were acceptable under Jewish religious constraints, which prohibited graven human or animal images. On these coins, the obverse typically depicted a star—usually an eight-rayed symbol within a diadem or circle—while the reverse bore an anchor, a motif borrowed from Hellenistic coinage. The star may have held religious connotations, perhaps referencing divine guidance or the priestly authority of the Hasmonean rulers, while the anchor symbolized strength, stability, and maritime power, likely reflecting the dynasty’s aspirations to regional influence and international trade, particularly through Mediterranean coastal ports.
Centuries later, these humble bronze coins gained enduring fame under the name “Widow’s Mite” because of their appearance in the Gospels, where Jesus praised a poor widow who donated two such coins to the Temple treasury, noting that her small gift was of greater value than the large sums given by the wealthy, for she had given all she had.
How do I know these are original Byzantine Coins?
Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection:
- Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.
- Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged.
- Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.
What will my artifact look like?
Your coin will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back!
Your order will include:
-
One authentic Ancient Judea Coin
-
Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact
-
Certificate of Authenticity
Ancient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. Read more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.