Palestine - Monnaies du Temps des Machabees (Plate 21) (Coins from the Time of the Maccabees)

Description

This engraving contains illustrations of coins from the Maccabean (Hashmonean) Dynasty, one of the most important political-religious periods in Jewish history. The Hasmonean State, established following the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule in the 2nd century BC, developed a coinage tradition representing both religious independence and political authority. The twelve coin depictions in the top and bottom rows of the engraving are representative drawings reflecting the characteristic symbolic world and epigraphic style of this period. The figures on the coins are symbols reflecting the sacred and national identity of Jewish tradition. The date palm, a symbol of Judea, symbolizes both fertility and independence. Even in the Roman period, it was one of the most common iconographic elements representing Judea. The grapevine cluster is a traditional symbol emphasizing the agricultural character of the country. The bowl represents a cult object particularly associated with temple practices. The pomegranate holds ritual value as a symbol of fertility, abundance, and sanctity. The palm branch within the wreath emphasizes victory and sanctity. The inscriptions surrounding the coins are engraved in Paleo-Hebrew (the Old Hebrew alphabet). These inscriptions include both the name of the ruler and the calendar year.