59 CE bronze prutah of Porcius Festus, procurator of Judea under Nero

bronze prutah of Porcius Festus, procurator of Judea under Nero. Obv.: Greek inscription in wreath NEP/ WNO/ C (of Nero). The letter C is inverted. Rev.: Palm branch surrounded by inscription LE KAIC[AROC] (year five of the Caesar).

The palm branch is a common Jewish symbol, one of the Seven Species – seven fruits and grains mentioned in the Bible as typical of the land of Israel. From a Christian point of view, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is celebrated today as Palm Sunday.

A loaf of bread in ancient times was worth about 10 prutot (plural of prutah). One prutah was also worth two lepta (singular lepton), which was the smallest denomination minted by the Hasmonean and Herodian Dynasty kings   .

2 weight grams