1
Literal Translation / Primary Inscription
Epigraphic RecordObverse features an anchor surrounded by Greek 'ALEXANDROY BASILEOS' (King Alexander); reverse features an eight-spoke wheel with Hebrew 'Yehonatan ha-Melekh' (King Jonathan).
Widow's Mite (Bronze Lepton of Alexander Jannaeus)
Tiny bronze Prutah/Lepton circulating in 1st-century Judea as the smallest unit of temple currency
Direct Archaeological Attestation 94%
c. 103–76 BC (Circulating into 1st c. AD)
Discovery Excavation: Excavated in massive quantities across Jerusalem and Judea
Current Museum / Accession: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The smallest denominational bronze coin minted under Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus, bearing an eight-rayed star inside a wheel on the obverse and an anchor on the reverse, which remained the everyday pocket change in Gospel times.
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Corroboration Distribution for Connected Passages (32 records)
90% Confidence
32 sources
46.88%
31.25%
15.63%
Direct Archaeology 15 (46.88%)
Ancient Historians 10 (31.25%)
Dead Sea Scrolls & Manuscripts 5 (15.63%)
Scholarly Consensus 0 (0%)
Debated & Traditional 2 (6.25%)
Claim-by-Claim Epistemic Verification Breakdown
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
2
Biblical Corroboration & Cross-References
Scriptural HarmonyCorroborates Mark 12:41–44 and Luke 21:1–4 ('And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins [lepta], which make a penny [kodrantes]. Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them').
Corroborated Passages:
3
Scholarly Debate, Historiography & Modern Consensus
Critical NuanceNumismatists note that due to coin shortages, Hasmonean bronze lepta continued to circulate alongside Roman provincial coinage well past 70 AD.
4
Ancient Author Bias, Royal Propaganda & Perspective
Ideological ContextHasmonean royal coinage combining Seleucid naval symbolism (anchor) with Jewish royal identity.
Corroborated Scripture Passages
Attested Figures & Kings
Excavations & Ancient Geography
Scholarly Editions & Critical Publications
- Meshorer, Y. (2001). A Treasury of Jewish Coins. Amphora.
- Hendin, D. (2010). Guide to Biblical Coins.