Judaea, 1/2 prutah (so-called widow's mite), 100 BC - AD 30

Judea, 1/2 prutah (so-called widow's mite), 100 BC - AD 30.

Av. An anchor as a symbol of hope
Rs. Wheel with eight spokes resembling a sacred/divine symbol

Historical

The "widow's mite" is one of the most famous coins in human history.

According to a story from the Bible, Jesus and his disciples observe how the rich believers bring money offerings. But when a visibly poor old woman puts her last bronze coin into the offering box, he says, "Truly I tell you: This poor widow has put in more than all of them. For these have put in some of their abundance for the sacrifices, but she of her poverty has put in all that she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4).

A lepton from Judea is referred to as a mite. It is a so-called shekel coin whose value is equal to the value of the metal it contains. Leptone was used in the territories of the Roman Empire. The term stands for different small coins made of copper or bronze. In Martin Luther's translation of the Bible, it is called a "mite" and thus becomes a synonym for something small, but which can bring about or mean great things. "The widow's mite" is thus a very special historical testimony. The coin was used as a means of payment in Judea beyond the turn of the century. (ca. 103-67 B.C.)

Struck with the anchor as a sign of hope and the eight-spoked wheel as a sign of the divine.

Archive image: Please note each coin is unique!