A Widow’s Mite coin is a small bronze coin that circulated in ancient Judea more than 2,000 years ago. Most examples sold today are attributed to Alexander Jannaeus, a Hasmonean king who ruled from approximately 103 to 76 BCE.
Despite their age, genuine Widow’s Mites remain accessible to collectors. Common examples may sell for $20 to $50, while better-preserved or NGC Ancients-certified coins can bring $50 to $150 or more.
Quick answer: The Widow’s Mite is usually an ancient Judean bronze prutah featuring an anchor and star. Its value comes from its history, condition and collector demand, not its metal content.
Why Is It Called a Widow’s Mite?
“Widow’s Mite” is a traditional collector name rather than an official ancient denomination. It comes from the New Testament account of a poor widow who contributed two very small coins to the Temple treasury.
The original coins were described as lepta, the plural of lepton, one of the smallest denominations circulating in Judea. English Bible translators later used “mite,” a familiar term for a coin or amount of extremely limited value.
No one can conclusively identify the precise coin from the account. However, the anchor-and-star prutah of Alexander Jannaeus became the standard Widow’s Mite attribution because these coins were produced in large quantities and likely remained in circulation for decades.
What Does a Widow’s Mite Coin Look Like?
The most familiar Widow’s Mite coin has an anchor surrounded by a Greek inscription on one side. The opposite side displays an eight-rayed star or wheel, sometimes with traces of Paleo-Hebrew lettering between the rays.
Collectors should expect considerable variation. These coins were hand-struck on small, irregular bronze planchets. Off-center designs, incomplete inscriptions, uneven edges and porous surfaces are common.
A Widow’s Mite with a recognizable anchor, complete star and pleasing bronze patina will generally be more desirable than an example with weak or barely identifiable designs.
How Much Is a Widow’s Mite Coin Worth?
Most Widow’s Mite coins fall within several practical price ranges:
- $20 to $50: Worn or partially identifiable raw examples
- $50 to $100: Better raw coins and entry-level certified examples
- $100 to $200: Certified coins with stronger designs or better eye appeal
- $250 to $400+: Sharply struck, higher-grade examples with exceptional detail
Recent auction results demonstrate the difference condition can make. Two NGC Fine examples sold through Stack’s Bowers in May 2026 for $40 and $60. An NGC Choice XF example previously sold through Heritage Auctions for $360.
Certification alone does not make a Widow’s Mite valuable. Centering, surface quality, visible design elements and overall eye appeal remain important.
How NGC Ancients Evaluates Widow’s Mite Coins
NGC Ancients evaluates these coins differently from modern United States coinage. Regular and Express submissions receive an adjectival grade for wear, along with separate Strike and Surface ratings from 1 to 5.
Strike accounts for centering, design strength, planchet quality and die condition. Surface measures corrosion, porosity, scratches, deposits and evidence of cleaning or alteration.
NGC Ancients only encapsulates coins it believes to be genuine. However, NGC states that authenticity and attribution are professional opinions and do not carry the same guarantee applied to most modern NGC-certified coins.
Is a Widow’s Mite a Bullion Coin?
A Widow’s Mite is not a bullion investment. It contains bronze rather than investment-grade gold or silver, and its intrinsic metal value is negligible.
This coin belongs firmly in the numismatic category. Its appeal comes from its age, recognizable ancient design and connection to Judean monetary history. For bullion buyers interested in expanding into historical coins, the Widow’s Mite offers an affordable introduction to collecting beyond metal weight and spot price.
