JUDAEA, Herodians. Agrippa I, with Agrippa II, 37-43 CE. AE (Bronze, 21 mm, 8.11 g, 12 h), Caesarea Paneas (Caesarea Philippi), RY 2 = 37/8. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ - ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑΣ Diademed head of Agrippa I to right. Rev. [ΑΓΡΙΠ]ΠΑ ΥΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / LΒ Agrippa II on horseback to right. Burnett, Agrippa, 1. Meshorer 1. RPC I 4974. Very rare and unusually well preserved for this important Jewish dynastic issue, with exceptionally clear and legible inscriptions. Somewhat smoothed and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.


With this very rare issue, Herod Agrippa I - Tetrarch of Iturea, Trachonitis, Batanea, Gaulanitis, Auranitis, and Paneas from 37 CE; King of Galilee and Perea from 39 CE; and from 41 CE, ruler over Judea, Samaria, and Idumea - presents his juvenile son and future successor, Herod Agrippa II. Agrippa I (circa 10 BCE-44 CE) was a grandson of Herod the Great. Raised at the Roman imperial court, he earned the trust of the Emperors Caligula and Claudius, who successively granted him authority over various regions of Palestine. Seeking to secure the favor of the Jewish populace, he adopted policies of religious tolerance and upheld traditional practices - though he also persecuted the early Christian community, including James, the brother of John. His sudden death is vividly recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.

His son, Herod Agrippa II (circa 27-circa 93/100 CE), would become the last reigning member of the Herodian dynasty. Although never ruler of all Judea, he was entrusted by the Romans with smaller territories and exercised significant influence over religious and political affairs. During the Jewish War (66-70 CE), Agrippa remained steadfastly loyal to Rome, a stance that earned him the enmity of many Jews. He is portrayed in the Acts of the Apostles as a sympathetic listener and advocate for Paul, whom he met in person. Agrippa II likely died near the end of the 1st century without heirs - thus bringing the Herodian dynasty to a close.