We will now deal with another Prefect of Judea coin that would have been on the moneychangers table and is a candidate for being the Widow’s Mite coin, namely a coin of Valerius Gratus who was Prefect of Judea from 15- 26 AD.  While in office Valerius Gratus minted the following coin which used symbols (a wreath and cornucopia) that would have been acceptable to the Jewish population.  Like with the coins of Pontius Pilate they were bronze coins that were acceptable for use in simple everyday trading.  
  

• Prefect: Valerius Gratus
• Date:  15 AD
• Denomination: Prutah
• Obverse: Wreath
• Reverse: Double Cornucopia
• Reference: Hendin 639

 It was Valerius Gratus who when he took office removed Annas as High Priest. He then put in three different High Priests in quick succession but none of them were acceptable to him. Finally Valerius Gratus set Caiaphas in office and things seemed to work out because he left Caiaphas in office for the rest of his rule as Prefect of Judea. This is the same Caiaphas who will be on the scene with Pontius Pilate during the trial of Jesus.