John Hyrcanus I — Bronze Prutah of Hasmonean Judaea

Own a Coin from the Expansion of the Hasmonean State

A real bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I—the Hasmonean high priest and ruler who inherited an increasingly independent Judaea and transformed it into a powerful regional state.

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ Display Album Included
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coin shown is a representative example. You will receive one authentic bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I. Each coin is unique and will vary in strike, centering, preservation, and overall appearance.

✡️ Important early Hasmonean Jewish coinage

🏛 Issued during the Second Temple Period as the Hasmonean state expanded and consolidated its independence

🤲 An authentic bronze coin from one of the defining chapters in Jewish history

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

The bronze coinage of John Hyrcanus I belongs to the generation in which the Hasmonean state grew from the achievements of the Maccabean revolt into a substantial regional power.

John Hyrcanus did not found the Hasmonean dynasty, nor did Jewish independence begin with him. His father, Simon Thassi, had already secured de facto independence from Seleucid authority before John succeeded him around 135/134 BC.

Hyrcanus built on that achievement. During his long reign he expanded Hasmonean territory, strengthened the state, and helped establish Judaea as a significant independent power in the eastern Mediterranean world.

His coinage reflects this new political reality. Hasmonean bronze issues generally avoided royal portraits and instead used inscriptions and symbols such as wreaths and double cornucopiae. Many issues associated with John Hyrcanus name Yehohanan the High Priest in Hebrew.

These coins are important early examples of Hasmonean coinage, although they should not be called the first Jewish coins in history. Earlier Jewish coinages existed under Persian and Hellenistic rule.

For collectors of Jewish and Biblical history, a John Hyrcanus prutah is a tangible connection to the era of Hasmonean independence, the Second Temple, and the political world that preceded Roman domination of Judaea.

Perfect For

• Biblical and Jewish history enthusiasts
• Second Temple Period collectors
• Students of the Maccabean and Hasmonean eras
• First-time ancient coin collectors
• Anyone looking for a meaningful historical gift

What You'll Receive

• One authentic bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I
• Ruler: John Hyrcanus I (c. 135/134–104 BC)
• Civilization: Hasmonean Judaea
• Century: 2nd Century BC
• Traditional Hasmonean symbols and Hebrew inscription
• Presented in a display album
• Representative example (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

Learn More

Continue the story in the Kinzer Coins Journal: What Is a Prutah? The Small Bronze Coin of Ancient Judea.