Lot 2347

Description

Palestine, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, under Tiberius, (A.D. 26-36), copper prutah, (2.744 grams), obv. lituus surrounded by partial Greek inscription, TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC, rev. date within wreath, LIZ (reversed) = year 17 (= A.D.30), (S.5623, H.649 [114], AJC II Supplement V, No.23b, Meshorer 230). Uneven shaped flan, otherwise good fine with a clear date reading and a rare variant.

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