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✦ ROMAN JUDAEA ✦ ANTONIUS FELIX AD 54 | Biblical-Era Prutah NGC VF • BROCKAGE William Hogarth, Paul Before Felix, 1752. A later artistic representation of the New Testament account in Acts 24. A Judaean prutah from the administration of Antonius Felix, distinguished by an ancient brockage striking error and closely connected with the Roman governor who appears in the Book of Acts. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Coin Details Region Judaea Mint Jerusalem Procurator Antonius Felix Emperor Claudius I Date Regnal Year 14 — AD 54 Denomination Prutah Metal Bronze Diameter 16 mm Weight 2.01 g Die Axis 12h Reference Cf. GBC 6, 6377 for obverse ✦ Brockage Strike ✦ The defining feature of this coin is its ancient brockage error.
A brockage occurs when a previously struck coin remains against one of the dies instead of being removed. When the next blank is struck, the trapped coin temporarily acts like a die and transfers its design into the new coin.
The result is an incuse — or sunken — mirror image of the normal design.
On this example, the normal obverse appears on one side while the opposite side carries an incuse mirror image of that same obverse. The NGC label specifically identifies the piece as a brockage.
The Design Normal Obverse NEP-Ω KΛAY KAI CAP
Two crossed oblong shields before two crossed spears. The Greek legend names Nero Claudius Caesar, who at this time was the adopted son and heir of Emperor Claudius. Brockage Reverse Instead of the normal reverse design, this side preserves an incuse mirror image of the obverse, created during the striking process. What the Normal Reverse Would Show
On the standard issue corresponding to this obverse, the reverse depicts a six-branched date palm with two clusters of dates and carries the name of Britannicus, the natural son of Emperor Claudius.
The brockage prevented that normal reverse design from being impressed on this particular coin, replacing it with the recessed mirror image visible today.
Antonius Felix Roman Procurator of Judaea
Antonius Felix governed Judaea from approximately 52 to 59 or 60 AD, serving first under Claudius and later under Nero.
His administration took place during a period of increasing political tension and violence in Roman Judaea. Ancient literary sources describe disturbances, internal conflicts, and harsh Roman responses during his tenure.
Yet Felix is remembered today above all because his governorship intersects directly with the New Testament account of the Apostle Paul.
✦ Felix in the Book of Acts
The story of Felix occupies an important place in Acts chapters 23 and 24.
After the Apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and a plot against his life was discovered, the Roman commander Claudius Lysias sent him under guard to Caesarea Maritima, the administrative center of Roman Judaea.
There Paul was brought before Antonius Felix. Felix heard the accusations against Paul and postponed a final decision, ordering that Paul remain under guard while receiving a degree of freedom.
Paul Before Felix & Drusilla
Acts later records Felix appearing with his wife Drusilla, a Jewish member of the Herodian dynasty. Felix summoned Paul and listened as he spoke concerning faith in Christ.
Paul\'s message turned toward righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come. Acts records Felix\'s reaction in chapter 24, verse 25:
“Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time.” — Acts 24:25, King James Version
Acts goes on to state that Felix repeatedly summoned Paul while hoping that money might be offered to him. Paul remained imprisoned for two years. When Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, Felix left Paul in custody.
AD 54 — Early in Felix\'s Administration
This coin was struck in 54 AD, early in the period when Felix governed Judaea.
It therefore predates Paul\'s appearance before Felix by only a few years and belongs directly to the same provincial administration that forms the setting for the events recorded in Acts.
Caesarea Maritima
Caesarea Maritima served as the principal Roman administrative center of Judaea. It was here that Paul was held and brought before Felix. The city\'s substantial Roman remains still include theatres, aqueducts, harbor works, and other monumental structures.
Roman aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima. ✦ NGC Grade & Condition NGC VF Strike: 3/5
Surface: 4/5
Designation: Brockage
NGC Certification: 6060821-003
The coin is encapsulated and graded by NGC. Please review the listing photographs and video carefully for the exact coin, holder, label, surfaces, strike, patina, and overall appearance.
✦ A Biblical-Era Coin with an Ancient Striking Error
Struck in Jerusalem under Antonius Felix in AD 54, this prutah belongs to the same Roman administration that would later judge and imprison the Apostle Paul at Caesarea. Its brockage adds another layer to that history, preserving not only the coinage of Felix\'s Judaea but also a mistake made during the ancient striking process itself.
WESTBRIDGE COIN ✦ ✦ ✦ Historical imagery is included for educational and historical context and is not part of the item offered. Paul Before Felix, William Hogarth, 1752: public domain.
Caesarea Maritima aqueduct photograph: Mark87, public domain.
