JUDAEA. Procurators. Pontius Pilate (Governor under Tiberius). 29-62 CE. Æ prutah. 2 gm. 15 mm. Year 17 (30/31 CE). Wreath; LIZ (Year 17) in center / A lituus; TIBEPIOY KAICAROC ("Of Tiberius Caesar") around. AJC 23. (II: Pl. 31). Hendin 1360. Good Very Fine; bold, well struck and amazingly well centered, choice black patina with earthen highlights.

Purchased from Brian Kritt in 2009 ($300), with his envelope.

A COLLECTION OF HIGH QUALITY COINS OF JUDAEA

This group of eleven Biblical era coins represents the Hasmoneans, Herodians, and Roman Procurators of Judea concluding with the First and Second Revolts. David Sear, author of several important references on ancient coinage, once commented about this series as “the miserable coins of this type…identified with the widow’s mite,” a description of their usual condition. They were casually produced as small change with minimal attention to quality. This group is exceptional and was carefully assembled by a collector over a period of years who sought the finest examples possible. The provenance for each piece is the same, ex Brian Kritt, and each coin comes with the envelope he provided with the coin, with his attributions, including handwritten inscriptions.