Prutah - Tiberius Pontius Pilate

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Charitycoincollector, Sep 16, 2020.

  1. Morning all,

    I have a coin which appears to be a Prutah and I believe from the time of Pontius Pilate. It appears to have three bound ears of grain on one side. The other is too worn to be visible. Some letters are visible.

    Any idea how best to authenticate a coin like this. It should be bronze yet it looks more like copper which I assume would make it a fake/replica?

    It weighs about 1.9g and measures approx 1.6cm

    Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks (Photos below) IMG_1000.JPG IMG_1001.JPG
     
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  3. Roerbakmix

    Roerbakmix Well-Known Member

    I'm not really into this specific coinage, however, what makes you believe it's not authentic? It's heavily corroded, there are spots suggestive for bronze disease - both indicative (in my opinion) of advanced age.
     
  4. Herodotus

    Herodotus Well-Known Member

    Your coin is likely genuine. FWIW, copper is the main ingredient in bronze(typically around 90% of the alloy).

    Your coin is pretty worn, and hard to tell in the pic, but it could be a match to this type:
    [​IMG]
    Judaea. Procurators. Pontius Pilate Ӕ Prutah; Year 16=29/30 CE
    Struck in the names of Julia Augusta and Tiberius
    O:
    Three bound grain ears, the outer two ears droop, surrounded by IOYΛIA KAICAPOC (Julia, Caesar's wife).
    R: Libation ladle (simpulum) surrounded by TIBЄPIOY KAICAPOC (of Tiberius Caesar) and date L Ις (date) in legend (Year 16)
    Hendin-1341; RPC-4967; Meshorer 331
     
  5. Thanks for the replies. I'm always dubious with ancient coins as I'm still learning alot about them - Roman especially. Once again thanks for all the helpful infomation
     
  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    It appears to be a bona fide ancient coin, but in really, really rough shape.
     
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  7. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    I have a couple from that Procurator:

    upload_2020-9-16_9-56-55.png
    Judaea Pontius Pilate - Prutah Julia - IOYLIA KAICAPOC Julia Caesar - LIVIA wife of Augustus Hendin 1341


    upload_2020-9-16_9-57-29.png
    Judaea Pontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342
     
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  8. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    A well-loved coin to be sure but still an authentic one from Judaea. It's kind of a blast thinking about how biblical-era folks were carrying around these coins. So much history.

    Luke 21: 1-4

    And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

    2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

    3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

    4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
     
  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Mine is a lower grade coin but was selected since it has the year date LIS (year 16 - 29/30 AD) following KAICAPOC on flan obverse right.
    ju0167bb3074.jpg
     
  10. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    There’s a relatively useful rule of thumb with ancients - if it looks old, it probably is.

    Authenticity can also be determined by value and demand. The odds of a Constantius II FTR being fake are relatively low, for example.
     
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    I want to second the opinion that the green spots MIGHT be bronze disease (BD). Keep an eye on those spots. If you see a soft, powdery substance start building up, then it is BD and you need to treat the coin.

    Start by brushing off the powder and digging out as much as you can from the little pits with a toothpick or bamboo skewer. Buy a gallon of distilled water (DW) from a grocery store, place the coin in a cup with 6-8 oz. of DW and let it soak for 2-3 days, then empty and replace the DW. Repeat this process for about 3-4 weeks.
     
  12. Spargrodan

    Spargrodan Well-Known Member

    Is it only me, dosen't the reverse look very much like a modern toilet?
     
  13. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    These two examples illustrate the other reverse type on prutot issued by this procurator, depicting a lituus.

    Pilate Prutah.jpg Pilate Prutah 2.jpg
     
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