Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 650. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Herodian Kings. Herod I (the Great). 40-4 BCE. Æ "Eight Prutot" (2.75 gm, 12h). Sebaste mint. Dated RY 3 (37 BC). Ornate helmet with tall crest topped by star; palms flanking / Tripod; date and monogram in fields. Cf. Meshorer 44d (half denomination); cf. RPC I 4901; cf. Hendin 486. VF, desert patina. ($300)

Meshorer 44d are coins with the same types as the eight prutot struck on a flan of the half-denomination, Meshorer 45. This coin, with the same types and a weight about 1/4 that of the eight prutot, must be struck on the flan of the quarter denomination, Meshorer 46. Meshorer does not address the significance of these, nor whether they are official issues. If they are unofficial issues, they fall into the same category as the "Caesarea minims" - crude lightweight imitations of the Judaean bronze coinage struck as small change.