Herod I The Great 40-4 BCE Bronze Prutot. Samaria mint. Obverse. Lebes over tripod. Date to left, monogram to right. Reverse. Military helmet, star above, palm to left and right.
The helmet on the reverse of this type has been the subject of much research. Initially thought to be a vessel (Madden 1864) others (Kindler 1974) referred to it as a thymaterion (incense burner), but today’s experts (Meshorer and Hendin) now believe it to be a helmet. Its confirmation to be a helmet was presented by Hendin in the Israel Numismatic Journal Vol.11 in which he showed that, through the analysis of a superb specimen, there was a wreath on the helmet which included a large leaf as a central device. Thus he concluded that the object is a soldier’s helmet with a wreath, cheek pieces and straps. Leaves on helmets were a suitable symbol and design motif at this time as Herod I did not depict human images on any of his coins. - (C.10308)

Antique Coins
Ancient coins