The Judean prutah (Plural: prutot) was a small bronze coin minted and circulated during the Second Temple in ancient Judea. Its historical and cultural significance reflects the region’s socio-economic conditions, religious values, and political dynamics from approximately the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD. As a low-denomination coin, the prutah played a vital role in the daily lives of Judeans and provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient economic and political systems.
Historical Context of the Prutah
The prutah was introduced while Judea underwent significant political shifts. It was first issued during Hellenistic times under the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties and later by Roman prefects and procurators during the Roman occupation. These coins were used from 135 BC until minting ceased in 59 AD, but they remained in circulation until the end of the First Jewish–Roman War in 70 AD.
The Roman control of Judea began in 6 AD when the region was officially annexed as a Roman province. The governors of Judea were first referred to as prefects and later called procurators under Emperor Claudius, whose coins reflected the complex relationship between Jewish religious sensitivities and Roman imperial authority.
Design, Features, and Composition of the Prutah
Composition
The prutah was primarily composed of bronze, small in size, and was often irregularly shaped due to its manual production using dies. Some protot were made from lead, like those issued under Alexander Jannaeus from 104-76 BC.
Prutah Designs
The designs on the prutah varied over time and typically reflected the ruling authority’s priorities and influences. Jewish religious sensibilities influenced the prutah’s design- Despite Roman control, the coins did not depict human portraits or overt idolatry, adhering to Jewish prohibitions.
Hasmonean Prutot
The earliest prutot prominently featured Jewish symbolism like cornucopias (abundance), pomegranates (prosperity), and anchors (stability). Inscriptions in Paleo-Hebrew emphasized Jewish autonomy and cultural identity.
Herodian Prutot
Herodian prutot displayed symbols like palm branches, stars, and royal diadems, blending Hellenistic influences with Hebrew traditions. They maintained the prohibition against depicting human figures (graven images), a key aspect of Jewish religious law.
Roman Procuratorial Prutot
Under Roman rule, prutot featured designs that balanced the symbols of Roman authority with Jewish traditions. Common motifs included ears of grain, palm trees, and wreaths. Pontius Pilate’s coinage broke from tradition by incorporating Roman religious symbols like the lituus (augur’s wand used to determine the meaning of natural phenomena like lightning) and simpulum (ladle for libations). These designs were controversial among the Jewish populace, but Pontius Pilate’s coinage still respected the ban on graven images and did not feature a portrait of the emperor on coins.
Economic Role of the Prutah
The prutah was a low-value coin used for everyday transactions, comparable to modern small-denomination coins, making it essential for trade and commerce. While the prutah was a low denomination coin, it was not the smallest Judean coin. The prutah was worth two lepton, or Widow’s Mites.
What Could a Prutah Buy in Ancient Judea?
| Prutot Required to Buy | Goods |
| 2 Prutot | Bunch of grapes |
| 4-5 Prutot | Small fish |
| 10 Prutot | Loaf of Bread |
| 15-20 Prutot | Clay Lamp |
Political Significance
The prutah was also a medium of political propaganda. Roman prefects and procurators used these coins to reinforce their authority. The inscriptions often featured the reigning emperor’s name and regnal year, asserting Roman dominance while avoiding overtly offensive imagery. For example, Coponius, the first Roman prefect, minted prutot featuring a palm tree and an ear of barley—symbols acceptable to Jewish religious sensibilities.
Roman-authorized minting of the prutah ceased after 59 AD, and its use declined after the First Jewish–Roman War (66–70 AD).
