Coins of Felix and Festus
Small bronze coins struck by the two governors who kept Paul in prison at Caesarea
Found 1864 — First classified by Frederic Madden (1864) and later Ya'akov Meshorer; found in large numbers across Judea
Where Judea (minted at Jerusalem) (Israel)
Dates from 54 CE (Felix, year 14 of Claudius) and 58/59 CE (Festus, year 5 of Nero) · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's two years at Caesarea (Acts 24–25)
Now at Israel Museum, Jerusalem; British Museum; many other collections
Names a biblical person Claudius (legends name Claudius/Nero, not Felix or Festus; attribution by date)
How Coins of Felix and Festus was found
The procurators' 'prutot' turn up in almost every excavation of Roman-period Judea, including Jerusalem, Caesarea, Masada, and Qumran. They carry the emperor's name and regnal year rather than the governor's.
What it is
Tiny bronze prutot (about 15 mm). Felix's coins of year 14 of Claudius (54 CE) show two crossed palm branches and the names of Claudius' children Nero and Britannicus; Festus' coins of year 5 of Nero (58/59 CE) show a palm branch and 'NERONOS' in a wreath.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 24–25 says Felix kept Paul two years hoping for a bribe, then Porcius Festus replaced him and sent Paul to Caesar. The coins give the only fixed dates for these governors from Judea itself: Felix minting in 54 and Festus already in office by 59. That brackets Paul's imprisonment at Caesarea to about 57–59 CE and Festus' arrival to 59 or 60, a key point in Paul's chronology.
The Hebrew word: pe-roo-TAH
פְּרוּטָה
פְּרוּטָה is pronounced pe-roo-TAH and means smallest bronze coin (Greek lepton) (Strong's G3016).
People this discovery connects to
- Felix — פֶלִיקְס (FEH-leeks) — Latin Felix, 'fortunate'; Marcus Antonius Felix, procurator
- Festus — פֶסְטוֹס (FES-tos) — Latin Festus; Porcius Festus, procurator
- Drusilla — דְּרוּסִילָה (droo-SEE-lah) — Latin Drusilla; Felix's Jewish wife, sister of Agrippa II
Places
- Caesarea — קֵיסָרְיָה (kay-sar-YAH) — Greek Kaisareia
Events
Paul before Felix and Drusilla · Festus sends Paul to Caesar
Coins of Felix and Festus in Scripture
Acts 23:24 First mention of Felix in Scripture.
Acts 24:24 Felix and his wife Drusilla hear Paul.
Acts 24:27 'After two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus' — the change dated by their coins.
Questions people ask
What is Coins of Felix and Festus?
Tiny bronze prutot (about 15 mm). Felix's coins of year 14 of Claudius (54 CE) show two crossed palm branches and the names of Claudius' children Nero and Britannicus; Festus' coins of year 5 of Nero (58/59 CE) show a palm branch and 'NERONOS' in a wreath.
When was Coins of Felix and Festus discovered?
It was found in 1864 by First classified by Frederic Madden (1864) and later Ya'akov Meshorer; found in large numbers across Judea, at Judea (minted at Jerusalem).
Where is Coins of Felix and Festus today?
Israel Museum, Jerusalem; British Museum; many other collections.
Which Bible verses does Coins of Felix and Festus relate to?
Acts 23:24, Acts 24:24, Acts 24:27.
Related discoveries
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
- מַלְכָּהInscriptions of Agrippa II and BerniceStones from Beirut and Athens naming the royal pair who heard Paul at Caesarea
- חֶבֶר הַיְּהוּדִיםHasmonean Coins of John Hyrcanus and Alexander JannaeusThe bronze prutot of the Maccabean priest-kings, with 'Yehohanan the High Priest' and Jannaeus's anchor and star
- יְהוּדYehud CoinsThe first Jewish coins, tiny silver pieces stamped 'YHD' for the Persian province of Judah
- מְנוֹרָהMenorah Coin of Mattathias AntigonusThe last Hasmonean king's bronze coin, the earliest known picture of the Temple menorah
- גְּאֻלָּהOphel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' CoinsA refuge cave beside the Temple Mount sealed in 70 CE with bronze coins of the revolt's last year
Sources
- Y. Meshorer, A Treasury of Jewish Coins (2001), nos. 340–345
- D. Hendin, Guide to Biblical Coins (5th ed., 2010)
- NGC Ancients, "Prefects and Procurators of Judaea"