★ An exceptional example of the first numismatic Jewish portrait ★

JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod IV Philip, 4 BCE-34 CE. AE (Bronze, 13 mm, 1.52 g, 11 h), RY 34 = 30/1. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Bare head of Philip to right. Rev. LΛΔ within wreath. Meshorer 12. RPC I 4950. Rare and of great historical interest. Very well struck in high relief and among the finest known example, a wonderful example of the first numismatic Jewish portrait. Repatinated, otherwise, good very fine.

From the James Knox Collection of Biblical related coins, ex Fontanille Coins 78, 7 October 2015, 3.

Mosaic Law forbade the use of 'graven images'. For this reason, previous Jewish rulers had refrained from placing their images on coins. Herod IV Philip broke with this tradition and depicted himself on his coinage in the Hellenistic style, effectively rendering this the first Jewish portrait. It was struck in 30/1 CE, which was also very likely the time Jesus preached in Judaea.