Ancient Numismatic Mythology
  • Heroic Greek Myths and their Coins
    • Greek Mythology 101
    • The Trojan War
    • Perseus and Medusa
    • Theseus and the Minotaur
    • The Labors of Hercules
    • Three Graces and Nymphs Mythology
    • Three Graces Coins
    • Other Notable Greek Heroes
    • Dido and the Founding of Carthage
    • Other Interesting Ancient Myths
  • Other Notable Coin Series
    • Poets, Philosophers, Astronomers, etc.
    • Lighthouses of Alexandria
    • The Great Sphinx
    • Coins Depicting Combatives
    • Coinage of Cilicia
    • Rome's 1000th Year Anniversary Series
    • Odds and Ends
    • Coinage of Lycaonia
  • Holy Land & Biblical Coins
    • Coinage of Aelia Capitolina
    • Other Holy Land City Mints
    • Persian, Hasmonean & Tyrian Coin Types
    • Coins of the Herodians & Roman Procurators
    • Judea Capta & Jewish War Coin Types
    • Noah and the Flood
  • Coins & Books for Sale!
    • Biblical Coin Types for Sale
    • Greek Coins for sale
    • Roman Coins for Sale
    • Ancient Coin Literature

Coins of the Herodians and the Roman Procurators of Judea

Herod "the Great"

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Herodian Oil Lamp ca. 1st cent. A.D. Adler 92 (HER.3 type), 86mm length, 64mm width (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Samaria Herod I “the Great” 40 – 4 B.C. Æ 8 Prutot, 25mm Samarian mint Obv: Helmet with chin straps, wreath of acanthus leave, star above, flanked by palm branches Rev: Sacrificial tripod HPΩΔOY BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ LΓ = regnal year 3 Ref: Hendin 486 (Author's collection)

Herod Antipas

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Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 34 (30-31 A.D.) Full Denomination, 24mm, 11.33g Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: RPC 4926, TJC 84 (Author's collection)
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Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 24 (30 A.D.) Full Denomination, 22mm Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: Hendin 509 (Author's collection)
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Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 33 (29 A.D.) Half Denomination, 20mm Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: Hendin 513 (Author's collection)
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Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 33 (29 A.D.) Half Denomination, 19mm Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: Hendin 516 (Author's collection)
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Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 33 (29 A.D.) Quarter Denomination, 15mm Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: Hendin 524 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod III Antipas. 4 BCE-39 CE. Æ Half Unit 17mm, 6.16g. Tiberias mint. Dated RY 43 (39 CE) RPC 4935; Meshorer 92; Hendin 1216

Pontius Pilate (26-36 A.D.)

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Pilate inscription in Caesarea Maritima
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah (dated RY 16 = 29 A.D.) Obv: three bound grain ears IOYΛIA KAICAPOC Rev: simpulum TIBЄPIOY KAICAPOC LIς Ref: Meshorer 331; Hendin 648 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah 16mm 2.38g axis 12 (dated RY 16 = 29 A.D.) Obv: three bound grain ears IOYΛIA KAICAPOC Rev: simpulum TIBЄPIOY KAICAPOC LIς Ref: Meshorer 331; Hendin 1341 (Author's collection) - This coin featured in Biblical Archaeological Review (July/August, 2017 - see below)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm, 1.67g Obv: Lituus Rev: Wreath with date within, HZ (30 A.D.) Ref: Hendin 649 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm Obv: Lituus Rev: Wreath with date within, LIZ (30 A.D.) Ref: Hendin 649 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm Obv: Lituus Rev: Wreath with date within, LIH (30 A.D.) Ref: Hendin 649 (Author's collection)

Antonius Felix (52-59 A.D.

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JUDAEA, Procurators. Antonius Felix. 52-59 A.D. Prutah 17mm, 2.9g. RY 14 of Claudius 54 CE. alm branches. Meshorer 342; Hendin 651 (Author's collection)

Porcius Festus (59-62 A.D.)

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Judaea, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D. Obverse: Palm branch; Reverse: Legend. Hendin 653 (Author's collection)
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Judaea, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D. Obverse: Inverse inscription; Reverse: Legend. Hendin 653 (Author's collection)

Tribute Penny

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Tiberius Rome 14 – 37 A.D. AR Denarius (3.8g) Obv.: Laur. bust of emp., r. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Rev.: Livia as Pax, seated r. PONTIF MAXIM Ref: RIC 28 (Author's collection)
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Tiberius Rome 14 – 37 A.D. AE Denarius Obv.: Laur. bust of emp., r. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Rev.: Livia as Pax, seated r. PONTIF MAXIM Ref: RIC 28 variation - unpublished bronze variation (formerly Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Samaria Herod I “the Great” 40 – 4 B.C. Æ 8 Prutot, 21mm Obv: Crested helmet depicted in profile, flanked by date and monogram Rev: Ornamented shield HPΩΔOY BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ LΓ = regnal year 3 Ref: Meshorer 45b; Hendin 487 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Herod I, 40-4 B.C. Æ Prutah Obv: Winged caduceus Rev: Poppy on branch Ref: Hendin 488 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Herod I, 40-4 B.C. Æ Prutah, 16mm, 2.35g Obv: Aphlaston Rev: Palm branch Ref: Hendin 489 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Herod I, 40-4 B.C. Æ Prutah, 1.2g Obv: Legend Rev: Anchor Ref: Hendin 498 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem Herod I, 40-4 B.C. Æ Prutah 14mm Obv: Graven image of Eagle Rev: Cornucopiae Ref: Hendin 501 (Author's collection).
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JUDAEA, Jerusalem. Herod I "the Great" 40-4 B.C. AE Prutah Obv: Anchor and legend, Rev: Galley. Hendin 502. Struck around 10 B.C. founding port of Maritima. One of the finest known examples (Author's collection)

Herod Archelaus

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Herod Archelaus (Son of Herod I) 4 B.C. – 6 A.D. Æ Prutah Samaria, 16mm Obv.: Anchor ΗΡWΔ BACI Rev.: Cornucopiae (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod II Archelaus. 4 BCE-6 CE. Obverse: Cluster of grapes; Reverse: Helmet. (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA Herod Archelaus, Prutah 4 BC - 6 CE Galley Prow. Hendin 506, Meshorer TJC 72d (Author's collection)

Herod Philip

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JUDAEA, Herod IV Philip, with Tiberius. 4 BCE-34 CE. Æ 21mm Tetrastyle temple. Hendin 533 (formerly Author's collection)

Agrippa I

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JUDAEA, Herodian Kings. Agrippa I. 37-44 CE. Æ Prutah (3.04 gm). Year 6 (41-42 CE). BACILEWC AGRIPA, umbrella-like canopy; Three ears of barley between L S (date). Hendin 553; AJC II 249, 11

Caesonia, with Julia Drusilla

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JUDAEA, Caesaraea Paneas. Caesonia, with Julia Drusilla. Augusta, AD 39-41. Æ 18mm Dated RY 5 of Agrippa I (AD 40-1). Draped bust of Caesonia left, wearing hair in long plait; Drusilla standing facing, head right, holding Nike and branch. RPC 4977; Meshorer 117. Extremely rare. (Author's collection)

Agrippina and Octavia

Apparently struck after Nero's accession, since the reverse legend calls Octavian "(wife) of the Augustus", but before Nero murdered his mother in 59, since she still appears on the obverse of the coin. According to the RPC index, this is the only coin known of Agrippina II (Nero's mother) and Octavia (Nero's wife) together.
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JUDAEA, Caesarea Panias Agrippina and Octavia (50-59 AD and 54-62 AD) Æ 18mm, 7.12g Obv: AGRIPPINA - AVG Agrippina II seated left holding branch and cornucopia, crescent in left field. Rx: OCTAVIA - AVGVSTI Octavia standing left holding patera over lighted altar. Ref: Meshorer 353 var. (no crescent); Hendin 1269 var. / corr. (same); RPC I 4845 corr. (5 specimen cited) (Author's collection)

Jewish Procurator Types

Coponius (6-9 A.D.)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Coponius, 6-9 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm, 2.00g Obv: Crossed shields and spears Rev: Palm tree Ref: Hendin 635 (Author's collection)
Marcus Ambibulus (9-12 A.D.)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Marcus Ambibulus, 9-12 A.D. Æ Prutah, 16mm, 2.08g Obv: Crossed shields and spears Rev: Palm tree Ref: Hendin 636 (Author's collection)
Valerius Gratus (15-26 A.D.)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Palm fron, date LB Rev: legend within wreath, TIB, KAI, CAP Ref: Hendin 639 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Palm fron, IOVLIA, date Rev: legend within wreath, IOY, LIA Ref: Hendin (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Crossed cornucopiae, TIBEPIOY, date Rev: legend within wreath, KAI, CAP Ref: Hendin 641 (Author's collection)
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. (dated year 4) Æ Prutah, 16mm 1.9g Obv: Wide kantharos with date at base Rev: grape vine and leaf, TIBEPIOY above. AJC supp. V, 15. Hendin 644.
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JUDAEA, Procurators. Marcus Ambibulus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Three lillies Rev: legend within wreath Ref: Hendin 642 (Author's collection)

Star of Bethlehem Series

Largely based on the research of Dr. Molnar and Cartwright, the following coin has been identified as representing the Star that appeared over Bethlehem, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ. Ancient writings show that Judea was represented by the Ram Aries in the zodiac and particular positions of the other heavenly bodies represented regal divinity. The first appearance of this astrological sign, according to the work by Molnar and Cartwright, suggest it reached its zenith in Judea on April 17, 6 B.C. On that date, a rare convergence of celestial bodies occurred - Venus, followed by Saturn, the Moon, Jupiter and the sun which were located in Aries.
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Position of planets in Aries on sunrise of 17 April, 6 B.C. (taken from Dr. Molnar's research)
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Stellerium reconstruction of planetary position on 17 April, 6 B.C. (reconstruction by T.B. Cartwright)
A series of coins, minted in Antioch, were produced illustrating the same motif at various anniversary dates of the Star's original appearance. Coins were minted on the 25th, 60th, 100th, 125th, 150th, 200th, and 250th year anniversary of Christ's birth and death. The coin below was minted on the 60th anniversary of his birth, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of his crucifixion.
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SYRIA. Antioch. Nero (AD 54-68). Æ 17mm 5.93 g yr 105 Caesarian era, 56-57 A.D. (Author's collection)
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SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous Time of Nero (54-68). Trichalkon (Author's collection)