Prutah of Herod Archelaus, Jerusalem c. 4 - 6

Curator: This is a prutah, a coin minted by Herod Archelaus in Jerusalem. Editor: It’s a humble object, yet powerful. The worn bronze surface speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed. Archelaus's reign was brief and turbulent. These coins reflect that instability—the imagery, the legend, all tools to reinforce his power. Editor: The details, although faint, show a galley and a bunch of grapes. The composition itself seems to be struggling for balance, echoing the unease of his rule. Curator: Precisely! It’s a claim to power, but one undermined by the very conditions of its creation. Editor: It makes you consider the weight of history held within a single coin. Curator: Absolutely, from the economy to the social status of its time.