Coins of Alexander Yanai (Jannaeus): A Battle over Identity

Abstract

Alexander Yanai (Jannaeus) was the first Jewish high priest to strike coins proclaiming himself
as king. In the mint’s transition from priestly to royal types, a mass overstriking event occurred,
and the first royal coins were overstruck with new priestly dies. It appears that those responsible
were rogue, factional actors who strongly objected to Yanai’s change in self-presentation. This
unsanctioned protest, apparently related to a protracted, popular violent insurrection in Judea
at the time, seems to inform the ideological underpinning of the uprising. It also contributes to
a chronological refinement of the revolt and of many of Yanai’s coin types.