Coinage and Power in Ancient Israel

Spanning the period from the fourth century BCE to the beginning of the second century CE under Emperor Hadrian, Jewish coinage produced during antiquity allows unique insights into the period’s history. It illustrates Persian rule and the eras of the Hasmonean priest-kings and Herod the Great and continues to the First and finally the Second Jewish War against Rome, which culminated in 135 CE with the destruction of Jerusalem and brought about the end of Jewish coinage.