Couple of Ancient Hebrews

The Palm trees on these 2 bronze coins made me think that they were struck in ancient Israel. Some Greek letters could show that the period was under Ancient Greek Rule, probably before Christ. I don't know.. They seem to have a green patina and weigh 2,45 g. and 1.72 g. Please assist me to better identify.. Thanks.

 

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I mis-understood (LOL)

 

Hi BG. What did you mis- underestand ? Are these coins not from Israel . I thought Palm trees refer to that State in Ancient History. Or maybe , yes my title could mean 2 Israeli people like these reverend Rabbis shown on the photo above. Of course we're talking ancient coins ( LOL ). Charles

 

The second one is Judaean, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D.

 

Only making a play on words and just joking my friend. Sometimes I need to smile a little more to help with the troubles of the day. Sorry if my play on words was off color.

As far as the coins are concerned, I know very little about Hebrew coins and I own only one.

 

BG. Sure that was a nice joke.
Nemo. Hi .. That is the first time I come across Ancient Romans struck in Israel or Judea. We know that at a former time the kingdom of Israel was divided in two : Judea and Samaria. Was the Roman procurator Porcius Festus a person like Ponce Pilatus ( known during the judgement of Jesus ). Usually Roman coins have the portrait of the Emperor on the obverse, like Nero for instance. Was it something common or occasional to show the figure of the procurator instead? Does it have any meaning? Thanks for your cooperation..

 

On the second coin, I can read NERUN ( for Nero ) while the reverse might read Porcius, maybe. As for the first coin, I can read Basileos ( for king ) in Greek. I cannot identify the name of the Greek Emperor shown on the reverse.

 

The obverse reads NЄPWNOC (Nero) in three lines within a wreath, the reverse is a palm branch surrounded by the date LE (Year 5) KAICAPOC (Caesar)

Festus was a governor of the Roman province of Judea after the recall of Antonius Felix to Rome. The year of this change in governors is not definitely known; the only sources of information are the Bible (Acts 25, 26) and Josephus, and neither sheds light on the appointment by Nero.

None of the coins of the governors have their names or likeness, only the names of the emperors or their family members.

 

Well, Nemo beatto the answers...I had a series of these including Pontius Pilate and all of Herod's sons...but sold them a while back....interesting coins from a historical sense .....

 

Nice lil' bronze pieces Calbrey.

Gave me a good laugh Bing.

 

It is a great piece of history. Reading the account in Acts adds quite a bit imo. here's one of mine.

 

Are these coins listed in RIC or Wildwinds? I didn't find Judaea there, just Israel with only one Example. Are they valuable. Actually my seller seems to have some of them. I don't have a clear idea about the value.

 

c'mon, 7Charles => you must not have tried too hard to find the link, my friend?



... anyway ...

here is a link for ya

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/judaea/t.html

 

=> I only have two humble Judaean examples ...

I bought my two examples at the same time from the same seller ...

=> I paid $50 each (delivered) ... not sure if that's good, or bad?

Alexander Jannaeus AE Prutah (Widow’s Mite)
Date: 103-76 BC
Diameter: 13.0 mm
Weight: 1.1 gr
Obverse: Anchor
Reverse: Star of eight rays




Herod Agrippa I AE Prutah
Date: 41-42 AD
Diameter: 17.2 mm
Weight: 2.5 grams
Obverse: Canopy, legend around
Reverse: Three ears of grain



... I'm certainly not a huge fan of Judaean coins, but again, I try to collect a couple of coin-examples from each of the coin eras ... and this my friends, is certainly an era that has some very "keen" collectors!!

 

As discussed with you in the past, and repeated here:

When you ask us to assign a value to your coins, these are the steps we take unless we are extremely familiar with the type. There is no reason you cannot learn to do this too

 

AD 29. Pontius Pilate as Prefect. Year 15 of Tiberius.

 

The first coin isn't Judaean. It's a city issue of Tyre, Phoenicia. That palm tree is found on many Tyrian bronzes.

 

Interesting, i missed that observation..... Tyrian coins displaying palm trees...

 

It might be something else as well - palm trees are found on other coins. One thing is certain though: it's not Judaean. There are no Judaean coins with busts of Greek gods.

 

There are several Carthage/Sicily Punic coins with prominent palm trees as well.