Herod the Great (37 BCE – 4 CE)

A bronze coin, minted in Jerusalem under Herod. Known as Herod the Builder for his numerous construction projects, his magnum opus was the renovation of the Temple, prompting the saying: “One who has not seen Herod’s building has never seen a beautiful building in his life”. The entire construction was achieved using huge precisely-fitted stone blocks. The platform upon which the Temple stood was also expanded, making it the lagest Temenos (Sacred compound) of the ancient world at that time, giving the Temple Mount the shape and dimensions it retains to this today.

Obverse: Anchor surrounded by the legend “HPW-BACI”: “King Herod”.

Reverse: A caduceus (staff of Hermes) between two cornucopia.

Date: 37 BCE – 4 CE