COINAGE OF THE ROMAN PREFECTS OF JUDAEA - VIRTUAL MUSEUM

 

Augustus Caesar appointed the first Prefect (or governor) of Judaea in AD 6 to fill the void left when he deposed Herod Archelaus who he considered inept. Except for a brief period in the reign of Herod Agrippa I, a Roman governor would be in office in Judaea until the outbreak of the Jewish War with Rome in AD 66.

During the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius, the governors of Judaea would be known as "Prefects" while from Caligula to Nero they were called "Procurators." Of the fourteen men who served in this position, only six are known to have issued coins. None of the coins they issued bear their own names, instead they are inscribed with the name of the emperor under whom they served and the date of his reign.

Only three of the fourteen Prefects and Procurators are mentioned by name in the Bible, they are Pilate, Felix and Festus.

 

Prefects and Procurators of Judaea:
(those in bold letters issued coins)
Coponius AD 6-9
Marcus Ambibulus 9-12
Annius Rufus 12-15
Valerius Gratus 15-26
Pontius Pilate 26-36
Marcellus 36-37
Marullus 37-41
Cuspius Fadus 44-46
Tiberius Alexander 46-48
Ventidius Cumanus 48-54
Antonius Felix 52-59
Procius Festus 59-62
Albinus 62-64
Gessius Florus 64-66

 


JUDAEA

COPONIUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 6-9

15mm 2.2g Hendin-1328

Little is known about the tenure of Coponius who was the first Roman Prefect of Judaea, except that a rebellion by one Judas the Galilean took place. The apparent result of this is that Coponius was recalled to Rome and replaced by Marcus Ambibulus.

The above coin shows a date palm tree with two bunches of dates on the obverse and an ear of grain on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 6, about the time that a 12 year old Jesus visited the Temple.

"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." Luke 2:41-47

 

 

JUDAEA

MARCUS AMBIBULUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 9-12

16mm 1.8g Hendin-1330

Marcus Ambibulus was a member of the Equestrian Order in Rome and was appointed Prefect of Judaea by Augustus in AD 9. This is practically all that has come down to us about Ambibulus and his tenure.

The above coin shows a date palm tree with two bunches of dates on the obverse and an ear of grain on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 9-10


 

JUDAEA

VALERIUS GRATUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 

 AD 15-26

16mm 2.1g Hendin-1338

Gratus was appointed Prefect by Tiberius Caesar and his decade in office is primarily notable for the frequent changes he made to the High Preisthood.

The above coin shows a palm branch on the obverse and an inscription of Tiberius Caesar on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 17-18


 

JUDAEA

VALERIUS GRATUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 

 AD 15-26

15mm 2.1g Hendin-1339

The above coin shows a palm branch on the obverse and an inscription of Tiberius Caesar on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 18-19


 

JUDAEA

VALERIUS GRATUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 

 AD 15-26

15-17mm 2.2g Hendin-1340

The above coin shows a palm branch on the obverse and an inscription of Tiberius Caesar on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 24-25


 

JUDAEA

PONTIUS PILATE

BRONZE PRUTAH

 

 AD 26-36

15mm 1.9g Hendin-1341

Pontius Pilate was appointed Prefect (the last Roman governor of Judaea to bear that title) by Tiberius Caesar in AD 26. He is the first governor of Judaea to be mentioned in the Bible and he is best known for his role in the Trial of Jesus in AD 30. According to the Gospel accounts he does not deem Jesus worthy of execution, but bows to the will of the populace. His was recalled to Rome in AD 36, just prior to the death of Tiberius, and disappears from history. In 1961 a stone bearing the partial inscription "To the Divine Augustus this Tiberieum Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judaea has dedicated this..."

The above coin shows bound ears of grain on the obverse and a ladle on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 29-30, during the height of Jesus' minstry.

"When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.'  And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." Matthew 8:1-3

 

 

JUDAEA

PONTIUS PILATE

BRONZE PRUTAH

 

 AD 26-36

16mm 1.6g Hendin-1342

The above coin shows a lituus with the name of Tiberius Caesar on the obverse and a wreath with the date in Greek on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 30, the most probable date of the Crucifixion of Jesus.

"So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves. And all the people answered, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified." Matthew 27:24-26


JUDAEA

ANTONIUS FELIX

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 52-59

16mm 2.4g Hendin-1347

Antonius Felix was of Greek noble ancestry. His elder brother served as a treasurer for the emperor Claudius, it was through this connection to Claudius that Felix was rewarded with the post of Procurator of Judaea. Felix used his position to enrich himself through bribery and corruption. The Apostle Paul appeared before Felix, who imprisoned him and apparently conversed with him on a regular basis. Felix kept Paul in prison for two years, apparently hoping that he would be paid at some point for his release. When he was recalled to Rome in AD 59, Felix was charged with corruption, but escaped punishment, again through the influence of his brother who had gained favor with Nero.

The above coin shows crossed ears of grain on the obverse and an inscription naming Agrippina the Younger (Wife of Claudius Caesar) on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 54, this is the year thar Agrippina murdered Claudius by feeding him poisoned mushrooms.


JUDAEA

ANTONIUS FELIX

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 52-59

17mm 3.3g Hendin-1348

The above coin shows a date palm tree with two bunches of dates on the obverse and crossed shields on the reverse. It was minted at Jerusalem in AD 54. It is worthy of note that the obverse inscription bears the name in Greek of Claudius' son Britannicus, who would be murdered by Nero soon after this coin was minted.


"After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, 'Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.'  At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him." Acts 24:24-26

 

 

JUDAEA

ANTONIUS FELIX

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 52-59

15mm 2.2g Hendin-1348a

The above coin shows a date palm tree with two bunches of dates on the obverse and crossed shields on the reverse. It is of crude style and is thought to have been an unofficial issue, possibly minted during the First Revolt of AD 66-70.


JUDAEA

PORCIUS FESTUS

BRONZE PRUTAH

 AD 59-62

15mm 2.0g Hendin-1351

Porcius Festus was appointed Procurator of Judaea in AD 59 (although there is some debate as to the exact date) to replace Antonius Felix who had been recalled to Rome to face corruption charges. Early in his term he heard the charges against the Apostle Paul and allowed him to be sent to Rome to appeal directly to Nero. Festus died in office after slightly more than tow years of service.

"Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, 'To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.' Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, 'There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.'" Acts 25: 12-15

 


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