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Message:: [QUOTE="John Anthony, post: 2521648, member: 42773"]I really wish the ancient Judaeans had put some effort into their coinage. I've owned any number of prutoh from time to time - finding well-struck, centered examples with reasonably clean surfaces is a challenge, in any period. For all their artistic ability in other genres, the ancient Jews were perfectly happy to crank out bazillions of crappy, utilitarian coins. As Doug points out, the coin Jesus refers to could have been one of several different types, but the statistical likelihood favors the lepta of Alexander Jannaeus (I refer you again to bazillions of crappy, utilitarian coins). Btw, it's ok to call them lepta - some very distinguished numismatists do. Actually, handing these coins out for their uplifting effect is probably the best idea I've heard for their use. They are indeed a tangible connection to Bible history. I have this one at the moment, which is better than most for its strong, mostly centered strike and clean surfaces. The makers of these coins were paid by volume, not quality, so examples like this one are a bit scarce... [ATTACH=full]537706[/ATTACH] Alexander Jannaeus, 103-76 BCAE Lepton - Widow’s Mite, 2.7g, 16mm; Jerusalem mint.Obv.: Hebrew script between Star rays (YHNTN HMLK) surrounded by royal diadem.Rev.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ; anchor upside-down as if hanging on the side of a boat.Reference: Meshorer Group K; Hendin 1150.[/QUOTE]