Ancient Jerusalem Coin – Roman Provincial Putah – cAD54

Description

Heading: Ancient Jerusalem coin – Roman Provincial Putah

Denomination: Copper 1 Prutah

Period: Roman Imperial province

Date: c AD 54

Origin: Jerusalem. Judea

Condition: VF for type. dark green patina and sandy deposits

Obverse: Two crossed palm leaves. LID below (=year 14) legend around TI KLAYDIOC KAISAR GERM (in Greek Tiberius Claudius Caesar Geramanicus)

Reverse: IOY/LIA AG/RIPPI/NA in four lines (Julia Agrippina) within laurel wreath

Size and Weight: 2.28g. 16mm

References: RPC 4970. Hendin 1347

Features and Provenance: This almost little coin represents many layers of historical interest. It comes from the time of Roman rule. under the emperor Claudius and was struck about 54AD in Jerusalem.

The prutah was issued in the name of Agrippina II. the wife of Claudius and mother of Nero. The coin was actually produced by Antonius Felix the procurator of Judea between AD 52 and 60; he was the next procurator. after Pontius Pilate. to produce coins. and by all accounts was a tyrannical leader and antagonist of the people. So much so. that in the book of ‘Antiquities of the Jews’ it speaks of “not a day went past that he did not put someone to death.”

How little has changed in 2000 years. A sorry indictment on humanity

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