Coins of Pontius Pilate

 

Sure — the very same Pontius Pilate whose existence was doubted by many historians did, in fact, mint coins. For reference, the historical figure of Pontius Pilate is confirmed in the works of the ancient Roman writer and historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus (c. 50–120 AD), the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius (37–100 AD), and the philosopher Philo of Alexandria (c. 25–50 AD). Archaeological evidence of Pontius Pilate’s existence was discovered in 1961 during excavations of a theater in Caesarea (an ancient city located on the Mediterranean coast of modern-day Israel), where a commemorative stone bearing the inscription was found: “… to Tiberius … Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea … dedicated.” This archaeological discovery put an end to a centuries-old debate among historians about the existence of Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea.

 

The coins were minted from 26 to 36 AD inclusive (the crucifixion of Christ is dated to AD 30). They were struck in Jerusalem and remained in circulation for no more than 35 years. The area of circulation covered a radius of about 500 km from Jerusalem: most finds come from the territory of modern Israel, while some specimens were discovered during excavations in Antioch and Jordan. Denomination: prutah, a small coin (a loaf of bread cost from 4 to 6 prutot). The coins were made of copper, had a diameter of 14 to 17 mm, and existed in a vast number of variations, errors, and countermarks.

 

Countermarks on coins in ancient Rome were applied for the purpose of denomination changes, during the сменa of the ruling emperor, or to indicate the region of circulation of coins of a particular denomination. Worldwide, only 13 officially confirmed specimens of Pontius Pilate’s coins with countermarks are known. Three of them are kept in museums in Israel, while the remaining ten are in private collections.

 

Images and inscriptions found on the coins include:

  • The circular inscription TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC (Emperor Tiberius).

  • The inscription IOYLIA KAICAPOC (Empress Julia), added to coins in AD 29.

  • The lituus — a curved priestly staff symbolizing supreme secular and religious authority.

  • A laurel wreath — a symbol of power and victory.

  • A simpulum with barley ears. The simpulum was a priestly ladle used in sacrificial rituals, while the barley ears most likely symbolized wealth and prosperity.

Greek numerals were used to record dates, for example: LIS — AD 29, LIZ — AD 30, LIH — AD 31, and so on.

 

During the examination of the Shroud of Turin using experimental NASA equipment in 1978, an image was obtained that clearly showed two round protrusions on the eyelids. These protrusions were associated with the ancient custom of placing coins on the eyelids to keep the eyes of the deceased closed. It is assumed that these coins were prutot of Pontius Pilate.