Lot 3668

Description

Palestine, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, under Tiberius, (A.D. 26-36), copper prutah, (1.935 grams), obv. lituus surrounded by partial Greek inscription, TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC, rev. date within wreath, LIZ = year 17 (= A.D.30), (S.5623, H.649 [114], AJC II Supplement V, No.23, Meshorer 230). Slight porosity, otherwise good fine with a clear date reading.

Of immense Biblical interest, this date being associated with Christ's crucificion. The lituus is an augural staff, a Roman cult object, no parallels in shape or function exist in Jewish art. The design of this and the simpulum were undoubtedly irritaing to the Jews who found it necessary to use this coinage.