Lot 3940

Description

Palestine, Judaea, King Agrippa II under Nero, (A.D. 56 [50] - 95), copper semis?, AE 20, (5.17 grams), Provincial coinage acknowledging Roman rule, struck at Neronias (probably) issued year 5 = A.D. 61, obv. laureate head to right of Nero, around [NEP**WN KAISAR SEBASTOU*], rev. in circle and wreath inscription in five lines, **EPI/ BASTILE/ [AGI]PP /[NERW /NIEWN*, (cf.S.5577, RPC 4989, AJC 2 [p.250, Pl.11], H.582 [80], Meshorer 96, BMC 2). Even brown patina, surface roughness, otherwise nearly fine and very rare.

Ex Harry Abramowitz family collection, sold Superior Galleries New York auction sale, December 8, 1993 (lot 453). RPC note 9 examples of this type. Agrippa II issued the most extensive series of coins struck by a Jewish ruler in Ancient Israel. His tenure of nearly 50 years, the strong patronage from Rome and his extensive territories all lend to great confusion. His coinage was struck in five denominations at various mints according to two distinct dating eras, (see Hendin p.130-7 for descriptive analysis and discussion on these facets of the coinage).