Prutah or Token - Alexander Jannaeus

Alexander Jannaeus ruled as both king and high priest of the Hasmonean kingdom, and his coinage reflects the political tensions of that dual role. His reign was marked by brutal civil conflict — a six-year revolt by Pharisee factions that reportedly cost 50,000 Jewish lives — and his small bronzes and lead issues circulated through a kingdom nearly torn apart from within. Lead pieces attributed to his reign remain debated: some scholars classify them as tokens rather than official coinage, possibly issued by municipal authorities or merchants working around metal shortages.

Hendin 1154 sits in contested territory between civic token and royal issue. The lead composition alone sets it apart from his more numerous struck bronzes.