...but still in time for Easter: Roman Provincial, Judaea. Pontius Pilate, as prefect (26-36 AD). AE prutot. Left coin: Simpulum, Greek legend TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC, year 16 (of Tiberius =29 AD). Hendin 648. Right coin: Lituus, Greek legend TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC. Struck in year 17 or 18 of Tiberias (=30 or 31 AD). Hendin 649-650. Pontius Pilate was the Roman official in charge of Judaea from 26 to 36 AD. He is called "procurator" in many sources, though a contemporary archaeological inscription gives his title as "prefect". He is infamous among Christians for his role in the trial and execution of Jesus in roughly 30 AD. For more on that, just ask @Deacon Ray . However, these coins issued under his authority reveal another aspect of the man, his refusal to consider the sensibilities of the Jewish population over which he ruled. Both depict implements used in the official Roman religion that were not used in Jewish ceremonies. The simpulum, a sort of ladle used in pouring liquid offerings, is alien to Jewish worship but not specifically offensive. However, the lituus, a sort of divining rod used to divide the sky into sections, was far worse. Fortune-telling was (and is) explicitly forbidden in the Jewish religion, and several Biblical verses prescribe death for fortune-telling. Depicting it on the circulating coinage could not have endeared Pilate to the Jewish population. It seems unlikely that Pilate was specifically trying to provoke the Jews, but the choice of designs for his coins does indicate a man dangerously out of touch with his subjects and unwilling or unable to understand them. Pilate was recalled to Rome in 36 AD, after ordering a massacre of Samaritans. His death is not well attested, though one source claims that Pilate committed suicide in 39 AD on orders from Caligula. Coins of Pontius Pilate are reasonably common in low grades like these specimens, but they are eagerly collected due to their high historical and religious importance. Happy Easter, and please share your coins of Pilate, or whatever else seems appropriate.
The Pilate related coin above is dated LIS under the prow at the end of the obverse right legend. It shows better on off center coins. The reverse shows three heads of grain drooping which shows the sad state of affairs in Judaea at that time. I do not have the other type so someone else can show the reverse of that one.
Nice @Parthicus . My Pilates: Judaea Pontius Pilate - Prutah Julia - IOYLIA KAICAPOC daughter of Caesar Augustus Hendin 1341 I understand this is the only coin that mentions Julia, his only daughter of whom he banished. Judaea Pontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342
I enjoyed the pics and the write up. Thank you and I have to get one of these. Biblical coins hold a deep fascination with me. Happy Easter to all!
I have a couple of from when Pilate was procurator. Here's one. @Parthicus, at first I thought you were showing both sides of one coin and that you had some type of weird mule!
Only have my old flip available to take these photos. Wanted to show the deep maroon and glossy patina with chocolate red highlights on this sestertius. I always tend to look at miracles within otherwise difficult times. This issue of Nerva in the year 98 ce shows how he was seeking to relieve the common folks of various burdens imposed by the empire. His altruism to both Christians and Jews after his predecessor sought to wipe them out completely is one reason why we are all here now and celebrating today. Happy Easter and and a joyous Passover! no fooling
Nice prutahs everyone. I don't yet have a Pilate but have several of the Hasmoneans. Anyone have a "tribute penny?" also a good one for Easter, and may the easter bunny bring lots of candy (and coins!) to everyone.
Prutah from the 2nd year of the War. Jesus would have celebrated Passover, along with all the other Jews. Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehchayanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh!!
Hey, hey, Deacon Ray - you're looking good in your Easter finery in the latest avatar, next to that mural. As to the coins, I forgot to consider the possibilities of Pontius Pilate instead of Bar Kochba, when I was recently mulling over the addition of something Holy Land-ish and historical to my collection...
