Lot 1866

Description

Palestine, Roman Procurator of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, under Tiberius, (A.D. 26-36), copper prutah, (1.270 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). Porosity, otherwise good fine with a clear date reading.

Of significant 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.