Widow's Mite: Judean Prutah (about 2,120-2,095 years ago)

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This small bronze coin, commonly referred to as the "Widow's Mite," dates from the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, ruler of the Hasmonean Kingdom of Judaea. The term "Widow's Mite" refers to the Gospel story in which Jesus praises a poor widow who donates two small coins (lepta or prutot), representing all she had, making these humble coins directly connected to a famous biblical narrative.

Coin Description:

Front side: Likely features an anchor or star within a circle, a common design on coins of Alexander Jannaeus
Back side: Probably displays a wheel-like design or lily with Paleo-Hebrew inscription identifying the ruler or kingdom

Technical Details:

Bronze composition
Prutah denomination (smallest coin in the Judaean monetary system)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted approximately 103-76 BCE during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus
Condition: Housed in NGC slab, specific grade not provided

Historical Significance: This coin represents everyday economic life in ancient Judaea and gained special cultural significance through its association with the biblical "Widow's Mite" story in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Alexander Jannaeus, who minted these coins, expanded the Hasmonean Kingdom to its greatest extent through military conquests. Despite their humble appearance and minimal monetary value, these small bronze coins have become among the most famous ancient coins due to their connection to Jesus' teaching about sacrifice and devotion, making them especially meaningful to collectors of biblical artifacts.

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Coin Description:

Front side: Likely features an anchor or star within a circle, a common design on coins of Alexander Jannaeus
Back side: Probably displays a wheel-like design or lily with Paleo-Hebrew inscription identifying the ruler or kingdom

Technical Details:

Bronze composition
Prutah denomination (smallest coin in the Judaean monetary system)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted approximately 103-76 BCE during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus
Condition: Housed in NGC slab, specific grade not provided

Coin Description:

Front side: Likely features an anchor or star within a circle, a common design on coins of Alexander Jannaeus
Back side: Probably displays a wheel-like design or lily with Paleo-Hebrew inscription identifying the ruler or kingdom

Technical Details:

Bronze composition
Prutah denomination (smallest coin in the Judaean monetary system)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted approximately 103-76 BCE during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus
Condition: Housed in NGC slab, specific grade not provided

The lesson of the widow's mite or the widow's offering is presented in two of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 12:41–44 and Luke 21:1–4), when Jesus is teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Mark specifies that two mites (Greek lepta) are together worth a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin. A lepton was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation in Judea,^[2] worth about six minutes of an average daily wage.^[3]

"He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, 'Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.'"^[4]

The traditional interpretation of this story tends to view it as contrasting the conduct of the scribes with that of the widow, and encouraging generous giving; it is often read with 2 Corinthians 9:7, "... for God loves a cheerful giver".^{[citation needed]}

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