Bronze prutah, Mattathias Antigonus (40-37 BC), Ancient Judaea

Description

Retrograde Paleo-Hebrew inscription in two lines: MTT/(YH) = Mattatayah (last two letters ligate), surrounded by wreath and border of dots // Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, barley ear between horns, border of dots; 13mm, 1.4 grams. Hendin 6199. x3577-v6337
Parthia took Judaea in 40 B.C. and made Mattathias Antigonus their vassal King. Antigonus bit off Hyrcanus II's ears to render him ineligible for High Priest and sent him to Babylon in chains. Herod fled to Rome but returned with Roman support and took Jerusalem in 37 B.C. Dio Cassius says Antigonus was crucified but most accounts say he was beheaded.
On Sep 27, 2022 at 11:32:53 PDT, seller added the following information: