Lot 31
Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (14.16 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 1 (66/7 CE). 'Shekel of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with wide, smooth rim, pellet on either side, and flat base with pearled ends; above, '[year] 1'. Rev. 'Jerusalem [the] holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. (TJC 187; Hendin 1354). Die-break on the obverse. Lightly toned. Extremely fine. Estimate $7,000UP
Ex Superior (8-10 August 1983), lot 114.
The silver shekel of the first year (May 66-March 67 CE) of the Jewish War against Rome is perhaps one of the most iconic coins in the ancient Jewish coin series. The chalice on the obverse is widely believed to represent a ritual chalice used in the Jerusalem Temple while the reverse may represent a staff with three pomegranates. The pomegranate was a traditional symbol of Jewish priestly authority.
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| Realized $9,735 |
