Procurator Rufus, 33 A.D. / Pontius Pilate, 29 A.D., from the Ancient Coins series (N180) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, tobacco companies like William S. Kimball & Co revolutionized marketing with collectible trade cards inserted into cigarette packs. This vibrant 1888 commercial color lithograph titled *Procurator, 33 A.D. / Pontius Pilate, 29.D.*, belongs to their "Ancient Coins series (180)." Measuring just 1 1/2 × 2 5/8 inches, it faithfully reproduces two ancient Roman coins—one linked to Pontius Pilate, the infamous prefect of Judea during Jesus's trial (circa 26–36 A.D.), and the other to the lesser-known Procurator Rufus. These pocket-sized gems tapped into the era's fascination with numismatics, archaeology, and biblical history, encouraging collectors to amass full sets. Printed using chromolithography—a cutting-edge technique layering colored inks for vivid, inexpensive reproductions—this ephemera exemplifies Gilded Age commercial art. Its precise detailing captures the coins' intricate inscriptions and portraits, blending education with promotion. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it highlights how everyday advertising preserved cultural artifacts, bridging ancient Rome with Victorian America in a single, colorful glance.

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...