Ruler: Antiochus VII/Hyrcanus I
Date: 132/131 BC
Reference: Hendin 451
This particular coin represents the first time the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VII, gave permission to the Judean community (John Hyrcanus I) to mint Bronze coins. They would however still be using the silver coins of the Seleucid Empire.
There is a real question as to who proposed this coins design. Was it Antiochus VII who chose not to put his image on the coin like the others he was minting as a sign that he was being considerate of the Jewish people? Or were these coins minted by Hyrcanus himself and bear the name of Antiochus as a sign of cooperation? Either way it is generally agreed upon that these coins were minted in Jerusalem and therefore this coin also becomes the first of many candidates for the Widow’s Mite.
The lily found on this coin was a familiar symbol for the people of Jerusalem. It was a decoration found on two of the main pillars at the entrance to the Temple. Lily symbols also decorated other doorways in the temple and they were found on various Temple furniture. In the book of the Prophet Hosea the Lily was a symbol of Israel.