JOHN (YOCHANAN) HYRCANUS AE PRUTAH - "ROSH"
Hendin 6169, Good Fine, 14.2mm, 2.04 grams, Struck Circa. 135 - 104 B.C.E.
Obverse: Inscription within wreath, "Yehohanan the High Priest and head of the Council of the Judaeans" in Paleo-Hebrew
Double cornucopia adorned with ribbons, pomegranate between horns
A SCARCE "ROSH" issue with a clearly readable Rosh (Resh, Aleph, Shin). The rosh issue titling John Hyrcanus literally as the 'head' is a very scarce issue, appearing on a very small percentage of his coins. Unfortunately, we often see his prutot incorrectly attributed as Rosh. We have included another photo to show you a shortcut in identifying the Rosh type even if you don't read ancient Paleo-Hebrew. See the arrow pointing at a letter that looks like a 'W'. This is a shin and it ONLY appears on the Rosh coins.
Ex: VJM Collection, NJ Purchased in 2014 from Holyland
