Widow's Mite Leptons and Prutahs

The Widow’s Mite was a small bronze coin referenced two places in the New Testament scripture in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.    This coin and the scriptural story surrounding it is revered and referenced in many religious circles as an example of humble selfless generosity and devotion to God in contrast to the prideful attitude of giving by many rich people. 

The word “mite” was the King James Version English translation for the Greek word “lepta”, or “lepton”.   The coins were minted under the rule of king and high priest Alexander Jannaeus from 103-76 BC.  Alexander Jannaeus who ruled Israel during the Hasmonean period was the only ruler to mint the lepton.  Other Jewish rulers in Judea (John Hyrcanus and John Hyrcanus II) and the later Roman rulers in Judea (the various Herods and procurators), each minted the larger bronze coin called a prutah.   Alexander Jannaeus was the only ruler to mint the smaller leptons which served as half-prutahs. 

The leptons and prutahs of Alexaner Jannaeus both had a star on one side and an image of an anchor on the reverse.  The lepton had a solid circle around the anchor and writing around the star.  The prutah, on the other hand, was different in that the solid circle was around the star (often making it look like a wagon wheel) and the writing was around the anchor.

There are numerous significant references to stars in scripture.   Per Revelation 22:6, Jesus Christ is the Bright and Morning Star.   The Star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:10 led the Wise Men to find Jesus.   The anchor was a symbol for stability.