NNP

We are nearing the end of the annual celebration of Hanukkah, which this year runs from December 14-22. A modern Hanukkah tradition is the presentation of chocolate gelt, which typically comes in gold or silver foil wrappers, although purists prefer unwrapped versions covered with gold or silver dust. A check of Amazon reveals well over a hundred offerings, although many of these appear to represent “normal issue” chocolate coins simply rehoused in Hanukkah-themed packaging. We suggest that more apt “Hanukkah gelt” pieces bear designs related to the actual event. Careful searching reveals examples with menorahs, or Hebrew text indicating “Happy Hanukkah / A great miracle.” We located one vendor that which offers Hanukkah gelt “molded to replicate an actual Judean coin dating back to the 4th decade BCE.” These may be the best for the numismatist!

Link to Mel Wacks’ Handbook of Biblical Numismatics on NNP: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/600117
Link to The Shekel on NNP: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/511938
Link to “Hanukkah Chocolate Coins” from E-Sylum, December 14, 2014: https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n51a29.html