Lot 3278

Description

Palestine, Judaea, Herod I, (40 - 4 B.C.), copper two prutah, AE 20, (2.148 grams), obv. cross surrounded by closed diadem, around traces of BA**SILEWS HRWDO*Y, rev. tripod table flanked by palm branches, dotted border, (S.5527, AJC 7 [p.236], H.490, Meshorer 41). Green patination, off centred obverse, full flan, fine and scarce.

Ex William B. Porter Collection. The diadem with cross is a well known symbol for royalty. The hint of the interpretation of this symbol is provided in the Babylonian Talmud. (Kerithoth 5,2 'Our rabbis have taught: `In anointing kings one draws the figure of a crown (diadem) and with the priest in the shape of the letter chi' (cross).'). This symbolism is similar to a group of the coins issued by Herod. Herod was not a priest he but may have used his coinage to describe symbolically the co-operation between the kingship (the diadem) and the priesthood (chi or cross). The coins probably indicate the removal of the high priesthood from the hands of the previous dynasty by Herod and the subsequent investiture of a priest under government control, consequently Herod has some association with the priesthood.