Ancient Rome 52-59AD – Governors of Judaea – Antonius Felix AE Prutah

This is a genuine ancient bronze prutah of the Roman province of Judaea, struck during the prefecture of Antonius Felix, AD 52-59. It has been inspected and certified as genuine by NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation). Comes in Box with a COA. This is a stock photo and the coin received may not be identical to the one pictured. By the time of his last visit to Jerusalem ca. AD 58, Paul of Tarsus had made enough enemies that his mere presence at the Temple instigated a riot. At the urging of local Jewish leaders, he was arrested and sent to the provincial capital of Caesarea, where he was imprisoned by decree of the governor of Judaea, Antonius Felix. For two years Paul languished in prison, held without trial. Although Felix reportedly enjoyed Paul’s company and dined with him on numerous occasions – their meetings are mentioned in the New Testament’s Acts of the Apostles – Felix did not release him, probably because Paul refused to pay the governor, an appointee of Claudius, a bribe.