Coins of the Herodians and the Roman Procurators of Judea

Herod "the Great"

Herod the Great was the Roman client king of Judea. He is perhaps most well-known for his many building projects throughout Judea. These include his expansion of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, his construction of the port at Caesarea Maritima, the fortress at Masada and the Herodium. He is of course well remembered for his role in the “slaughter of the innocents” after the birth of Jesus and his visit by the wisemen following the star of Bethlehem.

Herod was born ca. 73 BC in Idumea to Antipater the Idumaean, a high-ranking official under ethnarch Hyrcanus II and Cypros (a Nabatean). Antipater was an Edomite (a descendent of Esau) who converted to Judaism. Herod was appointed governor of Galilee in 47 BC while his brother (Phasael) was appointed governor of Jerusalem. Circa 40 BC, Herod is appointed “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate.

Herodian Oil Lamp ca. 1st cent. A.D. Adler 92 (HER.3 type), 86mm length, 64mm width (Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Samaria Herod I “the Great” 40 – 4 B.C. Æ 8 Prutot, 24.5mm Samarian mint Obv: Helmet with chin straps, wreath of acanthus leave, star above, flanked by palm branches Rev: Sacrificial tripod HPΩΔOY BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ LΓ = regnal year 3 Ref: Hendin 486 (Author's collection)

Herod Antipas

Herod Antipater (known as Antipas) ruled as tetrarch (ruler of a quarter) over Galilee and Perea. He was responsible for building projects in Sepphoris and construction of his capital in Tiberias.

Antipas divorced his first wife Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea in favor of Herodias (who was previously married to his half-brother Herod II). According to the New Testament Gospels, it was Antipas who jailed and beheaded John the Baptist. Ultimately, Antipas was accused by his nephew Agrippa I of conspiracy against Caligula at which time he was exiled with Herodias to Gaul (where he died sometime after 39 AD).

According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was sent to Antipas following his initial interview by Pontius Pilate, only to be returned to Pilate.

Herod Antipas "the fox" Year 24 (30 A.D.) Full Denomination, 22mm Obv: Reed upright, date "of Herod the Tetrarch" Rev: Inscription within wreath "Tiberias" Ref: Hendin 509 (Author's collection)

Pontius Pilate (26-36 A.D.)

Pilate inscription in Caesarea Maritima

JUDAEA, Procurators. Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah 16mm 2.38g axis 12 (dated RY 16 = 29 A.D.) Obv: three bound grain ears IOYΛIA KAICAPOC Rev: simpulum TIBЄPIOY KAICAPOC LIς Ref: Meshorer 331; Hendin 1341 (Author's collection) - This coin featured in Biblical Archaeological Review (July/August, 2017 - see below)

JUDAEA, Jerusalem Pontius Pilate, 26-36 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm, 1.67g Obv: Lituus Rev: Wreath with date within, HZ (30 A.D.) Ref: Hendin 649 (Author's collection)

Antonius Felix (52-59 A.D.

JUDAEA, Procurators. Antonius Felix. 52-59 A.D. Prutah 17mm, 2.9g. RY 14 of Claudius 54 CE. alm branches. Meshorer 342; Hendin 651 (formerly Author's collection)

Porcius Festus (59-62 A.D.)

Judaea, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D. Obverse: Palm branch; Reverse: Legend. Hendin 653 (formerly Author's collection)

Tribute Penny

Tiberius 14-37 AD AV Aureus (7.78 g) ca. 18-35 AD Lugdunum Mint – Tribute Penny type Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Tiberius right Rev: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, seated right on chair with ornate legs, holding scepter and olive branch Ref: RIC 29; Lyon 151; BN 32; BMC 47; Biaggi 170; Calicó 305a NY Sale lot 185 (Author's collection)

Tiberius Rome 14 – 37 A.D. AR Denarius (3.8g) Obv.: Laur. bust of emp., r. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Rev.: Livia as Pax, seated r. PONTIF MAXIM Ref: RIC 28 (Author's collection)

Tiberius Rome 14 – 37 A.D. AR Denarius Obv.: Laur. bust of emp., r. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS Rev.: Livia as Pax, seated r. PONTIF MAXIM Ref: RIC 28 (Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod I (the Great). 40-4 BCE. Æ Prutah (13mm, 1.2g, 3h). Jerusalem mint. Legend in four lines / Anchor within wreath. Meshorer 60a; Hendin 1173; HGC 10, 66 (Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod I (the Great). 40-4 BCE. Æ Half Prutah (13mm, 1.13 gm, 6h). Jerusalem mint. Cornucopia / Eagle standing right (first "graven image" on a Jewish coin). Meshorer 66; Hendin 1190; HGC 10, 669 (Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Jerusalem. Herod I "the Great" 40-4 B.C. AE Prutah Obv: Anchor and legend, Rev: Galley. Meshorer 65; Hendin 1191; HGC 10, 670. Struck around 10 B.C. founding port of Maritima. One of the finest known examples (Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Herodians. Jerusalem mint. Herod the Great 40-4 BC. Æ Prutah 16mm Obv.: Anchor ΗΡWΔ BACI Rev.: Cornucopiae. Ref: Meshorer 59c; Hendin 1188 (Author's collection)

Herod Archelaus

Herod Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great and Malthace (a Samaritan). He was the brother of Herod Antipas and the half-brother of Herod II (Philip). He was ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea for nine years (4 BC – 6 AD). He was removed by Augustus at the time of the Census of Quirinius.

Archelaus was married to Mariamne (probably the daughter of Aristobulus IV), whom he later divorced in favor of Glaphyra (widow of Archelaus’ brother Alexander, ex-wife of Juba, king of Mauretania – in violation of Mosaic law).  Archelaus is referenced in the Gospel of Matthew (2:13-23) during Joseph and Mary’s return from Egypt and subsequent diversion to Galilee after being warned in a dream by God. As a result, their son Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

JUDAEA, Herodians. Herod II Archelaus. 4 BCE-6 CE. Obverse: Cluster of grapes; Reverse: Helmet. (Author's collection)

JUDAEA Herod Archelaus, Prutah 4 BC - 6 CE Galley Prow. Hendin 506, Meshorer TJC 72d (Author's collection)

Herod Philip

Philip the Tetrarch (Herod Philip II) ruled from 4 BC until his death in 34 AD. He was the son of Herod the Great and his fifth wife, Cleopatra of Jerusalem. He was born ca. 19 BC, the half-brother of Herod Antipas and Herod Archelaus. Philip inherited the northeast part of his father's kingdom, which included Iturea and Trachonitis as well as Gaulanitis and Paneas (per Josephus). It is known that Philip the Tetrarch rebuilt the city of Caesarea Philippi, calling it by his own name to distinguish it from the Caesarea (Maritima) on the sea-coast, which was the seat of the Roman government.

Philip married his niece Salome, the daughter of Herodias and Herod II (sometimes called Herod Philip I). Salome appears in the Bible in connection with the execution of John the Baptist (earning her mother’s wish by dancing for Herod Antipas, Philip’s brother). Salome was an estimated 32 years younger than Philip. It is possible that the 'Salome' he was married to was a half-sister by that same name, a daughter of Herod the Great and his 8th wife Elpis. This sibling Salome was born in ca. 14 BC, and so only five years younger than Herod Philip (a more realistic age gap). But this would also be the only known occurrence of the children of Herod the Great intermarrying, even if from different mothers.

JUDAEA, Herodians Herod IV Philip, w/Tiberius & Livia 4 BCE-34 CE. Æ 20mm, 8.24g, 11h. Caesarea Philippi (Panias) mint, ca. 30-31 AD Obv: Jugate heads of Tiberius & Livia Rev: Tetrastyle temple (Augusteum) with central round design. Ref: Meshorer 100a; Hendin 1229; RPC 4951 (Author's collection)

KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR Aristoboulos, with Salome AD 54-92. Dated RY 13 (AD 66-7) Æ 20.1mm, 8.00g, 12h Obv: BACIΛEΩC APICTOBOYΛOY ET IΓ, diademed and draped bust of Aristobulus left Rev: BACIΛIC-CHC CAΛ[O]MHC, diademed and draped bust of Salome left; daughter of Herodias, who asked Herod Antipas for John the Baptist’s head (Matt 14/Mark 6) Ref: Meshorer 365; Hendin 1257a; Kovacs 300; RPC I 3840 (Author's collection)

Agrippa I

Herod Agrippa (Agrippa I) was the King of Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He and his son, Herod Agrippa II, were the last kings from the Herodian dynasty. Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice. He is referenced in the New Testament book of Acts (12:1). Agrippa’s territory comprised Judea, Galilee, Batanaea, and Perea.

JUDAEA, Herodian Kings. Agrippa I. 37-44 CE. Æ Prutah (3.04 gm). Year 6 (41-42 CE). BACILEWC AGRIPA, umbrella-like canopy; Three ears of barley between L S (date). Hendin 553; AJC II 249, 11

Caesonia, with Julia Drusilla

JUDAEA, Caesaraea Paneas. Caesonia, with Julia Drusilla. Augusta, AD 39-41. Æ 18mm Dated RY 5 of Agrippa I (AD 40-1). Draped bust of Caesonia left, wearing hair in long plait; Drusilla standing facing, head right, holding Nike and branch. RPC 4977; Meshorer 117. Extremely rare. (Author's collection)

Jewish Procurator Types

Coponius (6-9 A.D.)

JUDAEA, Procurators. Coponius, 6-9 A.D. Æ Prutah, 17mm, 2.00g Obv: Crossed shields and spears Rev: Palm tree Ref: Hendin 635 (formerly Author's collection)

Marcus Ambibulus (9-12 A.D.)

JUDAEA, Procurators. Marcus Ambibulus, 9-12 A.D. Æ Prutah, 16mm Obv: Crossed shields and spears Rev: Palm tree Ref: Hendin 636 (Formerly Author's collection)

Valerius Gratus (15-26 A.D.)

JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Palm fron, date LB Rev: legend within wreath, TIB, KAI, CAP Ref: Hendin 639 (formerly Author's collection)

JUDAEA, Procurators. Valerius Gratus, 15-26 A.D. Æ Prutah Obv: Palm fron, IOVLIA, date Rev: legend within wreath, IOY, LIA Ref: Hendin (formerly Author's collection)

Star of Bethlehem Series

Largely based on the research of Dr. Molnar and Cartwright, the following coin has been identified as representing the Star that appeared over Bethlehem, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ. Ancient writings show that Judea was represented by the Ram Aries in the zodiac and particular positions of the other heavenly bodies represented regal divinity. The first appearance of this astrological sign, according to the work by Molnar and Cartwright, suggest it reached its zenith in Judea on April 17, 6 B.C. On that date, a rare convergence of celestial bodies occurred - Venus, followed by Saturn, the Moon, Jupiter and the sun which were located in Aries.

Position of planets in Aries on sunrise of 17 April, 6 B.C. (taken from Dr. Molnar's research)

Stellerium reconstruction of planetary position on 17 April, 6 B.C. (reconstruction by T.B. Cartwright)

A series of coins, minted in Antioch, were produced illustrating the same motif at various anniversary dates of the Star's original appearance. Coins were minted on the 25th, 60th, 100th, 125th, 150th, 200th, and 250th year anniversary of Christ's birth and death. The coin below was minted on the 60th anniversary of his birth, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of his crucifixion.

SYRIA. Antioch. Nero (AD 54-68). Æ 17mm 5.93 g yr 105 Caesarian era, 56-57 A.D. (Author's collection)

SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous Time of Nero (54-68). Trichalkon (Author's collection)