The Wonderful World of Ancient Coin Collecting
Coinage of the Roman Empire


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch F Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5
Grade Comment: sand patina
Owner: RAM-VT
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Wonderful World of Ancient Coin Collecting
Slot Name: Coinage of the Roman Empire
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Judaea Marcus Ambibulus 9AD to 13AD AE 16 mm, Prutah under Augustus 11AD Grade: Ch Fine: Strike 4/5 - Surface 4/5 - Sand patina Census - NGC does not provide census info on ancient coins :>( Obverse: Ear of barley curved to right and an inscription “KAICA POC” (of Caesar). Reverse: Eight-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates, date mark “Year 41” (to the reign of Augustus which is year 11 CE). Marcus Ambibulus was the second prefect of Rome in Judea and Samaria. Originally a cavalry officer, he succeeded Coponius in 9 AD and ruled the area until 13 AD when he was succeeded by Annius Rufus. Josephus noted his tenure in Antiquities 18.31. We know hardly anything about the man, although, as a prefect, he must have belonged to the equestrian order - the second class of the Roman elite, after the senators. He was appointed by the emperor. This is all we know about this Marcus Ambibulus. Probably, he did his job well, because a bad governor would have been faced with rebellion, something that Josephus is always eager to mention. His silence suggests that Ambibulus was a fine administrator. It should be noted that like his predecessor Marcus Ambibulus’ coins present no self-portrait. It can be assumed that he did not want problems to develop with the Jewish population and the requirements in the second Commandment forbiding self-portraits. Thus the coins minted by him usually show barley a grain and date trees a fruit. My cost was $85

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