JUDAEA, Roman Governors. Antonius Felix, 52-59 CE. Prutah (Bronze, 17 mm, 2.39 g, 12 h), in the name of Agrippina Junior. Jerusalem, RY 14 of Claudius = 54 CE. IOV/ΛIA AΓ/PIΠΠI/NA within wreath. Rev. ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΓЄΡΜ / L IΔ Two crossed palm fronds. Bromberg -. Hendin 6376. Meshorer, AJC, Suppl. V, 32. RPC I 4970. Samel 2211-2212. Sofaer 62-64. Attractive earthen highlights on an even olive green patina. Very fine.



Antonius Felix served as Roman procurator of Judaea from approximately 52 to 59 CE under Claudius and Nero and was married to the Jewish princess Drusilla, a daughter of Herod Agrippa I. Josephus portrays his administration as violent and corrupt, accusing him in particular of arranging the assassination of the former high priest Jonathan, an act that contributed to the growing violence of the Sicarii (Josephus, Ant. 20.137–182; B.J. 2.247–270). The Acts of the Apostles records that Felix and Drusilla heard Paul’s defence at Caesarea and that the procurator kept him imprisoned for two years, partly in the hope of receiving a bribe (Acts 24:24–27).