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The coin was struck in Jerusalem
in the years 131 - 130 B.C.E . it is the prototype Jewish
Prutah. it was struck at the time when Judea was under the
Hellenistic rule of the Seleucid King Antiochus VII , with
the vassal king Yohannan Hyrcanus sitting in Jerusalem
The coin itself is a fascinating political document. Antiochus
VII respected Jewish feelings by not depicting his portrait
on the coin. furthermore, the reverse side shows a Lily ,
one of Jerusalem's symbols. The Lily was prominent in the
Temple of Solomon , decorating the capitals of Joachin and
Boaz- the two columns that stood at the entrance
Obv. Anchor flanked by Greek inscription : of King Antiochus
Rev. Lily
Bronze Coin of Antiochus
VII and John Hyrcanus, first prutah struck in Jerusalem
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