4 B.C.-6 A.D.

Minted in Jerusalem under Herod Achelaus, oldest son of Herod the Great.

Obverse : Prow of galley facing right with Greek inscription “HPW (Hordus)”

Reverse : Greek Inscription 'EON' (abbreviation for 'Ethnarch of Judea' - the title given to him by Emperor Augustus) surrounded by a wreath

Found in Judea. Coins in good to very good condition. Natural patina present.

14 mm diameter; 1.3-1.6 g

Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price.

Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority.

Bibliography:
David Hendin, “A Guide To Biblical Coins 5th Edition”, (Amphora Books, 2010), 506.

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The eldest son of Herod the Great and his wife Malthace the Samaritan he lived from c. 23 B.C.-c. 18 A.D.. Educated in Rome he ruled Samaria, Judea and Idumea from the death of his father in 4 B.C. to 6 A.D. when he was exiled to Gaul. He is mentioned by both the Roman historians Josephus and Cassius Dio Cocceianus.
In the Bible, Archelaus is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. According to Matthew 2:13-23, Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to avoid the Massacre of the Innocents. When Herod the Great died, Joseph was told by an angel in a dream to return to Israel (presumably to Bethlehem). However, upon hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father as ruler of Judaea he "was afraid to go thither" (Matthew 2:22), and was again notified in a dream to go to Galilee. This is Matthew's explanation of why Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea but grew up in Nazareth.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins