Porcius Festus was the last Roman procurator/governor of Judea to issue a coin. He replaced Antonius Felix around 59AD. His prutah coin was struck in Jerusalem and this one from my collection is 16mm in diameter, weighing 2.17g. The obverse has a wreath, with the reverse showing a palm branch and lettering referring to the Emperor Nero.
Festus is mentioned in the book of Acts in chapters 25-26. When Festus arrived at Caesarea the Apostle Paul was still being held prisoner and it was before Festus that Paul appealed to Caesar (Acts 25v11).
Shortly after King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice visited Caesarea - “When Agrippa was come, and Bernice ,with great pomp, and the principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth" (Acts 25v33). It was before this assembly that Paul recounted how he had met Christ on the road to Damascus and become a Christian. At one point Festus shouted, "Thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad", but he (Paul) said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” (Acts 26v25-26)
Festus was a scoffer, but Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26v28) Many people through the centuries have almost been persuaded to be a Christian. Philip Bliss wrote this hymn in 1871;
"Almost persuaded" now to believe;
"Almost persuaded "Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
"Go, Spirit, go thy way,
Some more convenient day
on Thee I'll call."
"Almost persuaded," come, come today;
"Almost persuaded ," turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near ,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come!
"Almost persuaded," harvest is past!
"Almost persuaded ," doom comes at last!
"Almost" cannot avail;
"Almost" is but to fail !
Sad, Sad, that bitter wail -
"Almost " but lost!
May you be persuaded to be a Christian, not almost persuaded.