Judea Jerusalem Porcius Festus Under Nero’s Rule, Bronze Prutah, AD 59-62

Description

Denomination: Bronze prutah

Period: Porcius Festus procurator under Nero’s rule 

Date: AD 59-62

Origin: Jerusalem mint

Condition: AEF for type

Obverse: NEP WNO C (of Nero) within wreath tied with a x at the bottom

Reverse: LE KAICAROC (five years of the Caesar) upright palm branch

Size and Weight: 16mm. 2.26g

References: Hendin 1351. RPC 4972

Features and Provenance: Porcius Festus is known to have been born in Italy and rose to become Procurator of Judea about AD 59 to 62. He is mentioned in the Bible when the apostle Paul had a hearing before him and is even in a stained glass window in Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral. At the time of his administration. Nero was on the throne of Rome and his fifth year is noted on the coin with the lettering LE=5 when a change of coinage was introduced. 

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible