Ancient Judean Coins Tell the Story of Jewish Fighters

At the core of the Hanukkah story celebrated today is the Maccabean Revolt that occurred from 167-141 BCE, which led to an overthrow of Greek occupation of the Land of Israel and the reinstitution of Jewish self-rule and worship in the Holy Temple. The Maccabees were also known as Hasmoneans (or Chashmonayim in Hebrew), and thus the government that they established, which lasted from 140-37 BCE, is known as the Hasmonean Dynasty or the Hasmonean Kingdom.

One of the most impressive and important archeological finds from the Hasmonean period is a cache of silver coins dating to around 135-126 BCE, found by Israeli archeologists a few years ago (and recently publicized again by the Israel Antiquities Authority) in a rock crevice in the area of the central Israeli city of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut.

These coins were minted by the direct successors of the Maccabees themselves, possibly only a few years after the events of the Hanukkah story!

This rare group of coins includes silver shekels and half-shekels, as well as numerous bronze coins that are inscribed with the names of the Hasmonean rulers Yohanan, Judah, Jonathan, and Mattathias with the description: "High Priest and Head of the Council of the Jews."

In the words of Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director Abraham Tendler, "It's exciting to think that this coin hoard waited for over 2,000 years until we uncovered it."

Don't forget to celebrate the Maccabees this Hanukkah with your very own Hanukkah menorah from Israel and other meaningful Hanukkah gifts!

The other famous Judean fighters from our history are those who rose up against the Roman empire in the first century CE and later during the Bar Kochba Revolt of 132-136 CE. And recent archeological excavations have uncovered stunning coins minted by these two rebel groups!

Last year, Israeli archeologists announced the discovery of a rare Jewish coin that was minted and used by the Jewish rebels who fought against the Roman siege on Jerusalem 2,000 years ago towards the end of the Second Temple period.

This coin shows 3 pomegranates, one of the Seven Species indigenous to the Land of Israel and an important Biblical symbol, along with the words “Holy Jerusalem” in ancient Hebrew script. On the other side is a depiction of a chalice, like what was used by the Temple Priests, with the words “half-shekel” and the letter aleph to indicate it was minted in the first year of the Jewish Revolt, in other words either 66 or 67 CE.

Israeli scholars believe that this particular coin must have been dropped by a Judean rebel roaming the hills and caves outside Jerusalem, as it was found near the Ein Gedi oasis in the Judean desert.

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In addition, just a few months ago, archeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority found a set of coins in the Judean Hills from the time of the Bar Kochba Revolt, around 132 CE.

One rare coin was engraved with a date palm and the name "Eleazar the Priest" in ancient Hebrew script, with the reverse showing grapes surrounded by the text "Year One of the Redemption of Israel." The three other coins that were found alongside it were inscribed with the name "Shimon."

It is known that the fighters of the Bar Kochba Revolt used the caves of the Judean desert near Jerusalem as hideouts and to stash their supplies - like the swords that were discovered last year in a cave near the Dead Sea - and it's likely that these coins belonged to the Judean fighters as well!

Honor Jewish fighters past and present with our special IDF-themed gifts from Israel!

Want to learn about some more astounding Israeli archeological finds? Click below to read about our other favorite artifacts found in the Land of Israel:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls
• Roman glass
• Swords from the Bar Kochba Revolt
• An amulet containing ancient Hebrew curses

If you're inspired by ancient Jewish history, show off your pride in the historical homeland of the Jewish people with our Land of Israel jewelry and Support Israel gifts!