Judaea, Yehud (Judah). Silver 1/2 Gerah (0.37 g), ca. 375-332 BCE. Lily. Reverse: 'YHD' (Yehud), falcon with wings displayed, head turned to right. Hendin 1060; TJC 15. Needle sharp and perfectly centered! A minor mork on rim and on falcon's breast. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
From the S. Moussaieff Collection.
The obverse of this coin proudly identifies itself as produced in Jerusalem through the prominent lily type. This became so well established as the badge of the city and its local rulers that it appeared on later Seleukid coins struck by the High Priest John Hyrcanus I for Antiochos VII Sidetes in 132-130 BCE, and Hyrcanus' descendant, the Priest-King Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BCE).