Yet another Widows Mite

I agree! There are many fine coins in this thread. I just shake my head when I sometimes see these tiny, nigh unidentifiable lumps of ancient bronze that sell for $25 or so. (Sometimes they're even coppery from overcleaning/electrolysis!) I would honestly rather spend 10x that to get a truly nice coin.

You have a fair point about the Augustus denarius or one of the provincial coins (although I think a tetradrachm probably would be too high of a denomination -- perhaps a drachm would fit). But, if you're going to choose a Tiberius denarius, there aren't many to choose from to begin with. There's the traditional "tribute penny," the quadriga reverse, and then minor variations of date and varieties thereof. The relative rarity of the quadriga reverse argues against the likelihood of it being the tribute penny just as much as it makes it easier to mass promote.

Yeah, I'll grant you that were it not for the largest religion in the world, Judea would be just another collection of 12 minor desert tribes.

 

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That looks like a prutah of Herod the Great. It could still be a Widow's Mite.

 

thanks D Ray i know theres' not much detail left on it.

 

Here is my widow's mite.

I think you might be underestimating the rich history and importance of Levantine culture! I have been to all three places and I think each has a claim to historical supremacy in its own way. The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho, is in the region of Judea. The second temple was considered an architectural marvel even by contemporary Romans. Also, don't forget that the Israelites and the Phoenicians shared a common cultural origin, which means that the invention of the alphabet, advances in navigation and trade, and widespread Mediterranean colonization can be traced to their culture.

The fact that the Israelites compiled and wrote down their cultural beliefs at such an early date and held onto their identity for so long is pretty remarkable as well.

Judging the importance of the region by just the narrow definition of the small southern Israelite kingdom is kind of like judging Greek culture by only looking at Aeolian city states.

Nice OP coin btw. I never get tired of looking at your new acquisitions!

 

Many on the market are overcleaned. I recently purchased a lot of them that were lightly cleaned but still a bit gritty. That's the way I prefer them.

 

Is that like Ren and Stimpy's Gritty Kitty Litter???