Bronze Prutah "Widow's Mite" Coin of King Alexander Jannaeus Necklaces

Wear a piece of ancient history. 

A bronze coin found in an archeological dig in Israel, selected by me from the collection of a Jerusalem coin dealer I have known since I was 4 years old, is custom framed in a burnished sterling silver bezel to show both sides and suspended on an 18" oxidized sterling silver rope chain. 

Minted in the First or Second Century BCE, the front of the coin shows a star with eight rays surrounded by a diadem, the second side shows an anchor, text reads "of King Alexander". Alexander Jannaeus was the second king of the Judean Hasmonean dynasty, ruling from 130 to 76BCE. 

Note that coins minted by Jews never show people, instead using symbols such as amphorae or date palms, instantly identifiable as Judaic symbols. The use of Hellenistic symbols such as stars and anchors indicates the increasing impact of Hellenic culture at the time. 

This coin is referred to in Mark 12:42-44. "And there came a certain poor Jewish widow and she threw in two mites which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples and said unto them: Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury for all they did cast in of their abundance but she of her want did cast in all she had, even all her living."

Pendant measures 13/16" in diameter by 1/8" thick and weighs .4 ounce, suspended from an 18" oxidized rope chain necklace. Comes with a certificate of authenticity from the numismatist in Jerusalem. 

Coin from Israel, pendant custom made in MA, chain made in the US.