Lot 42
Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ 1/2- Shekel (17.01 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four, half' (Shekel) (Paleo-Hebrew), two lulav branches flanking ethrog (citron). Rev. 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm tree with two bunches of dates, flanked by baskets with dates. (TJC 211; Hendin 1367). Medallic flan. Dark green and brown patina with earthen highlights. Very fine. Estimate $5,000UP
Purchased privately at the NYINC, December 1995.
The introduction of large bronze denominations in the final year (April 69-March 70 CE) of the Jewish War illustrates the desperate state of the Jewish rebels as they struggled to defend Jerusalem against the Roman forces led by Titus and against the violent rifts in the rebel leadership. Silver denominations from this disastrous year are very rare, suggesting that silver had become more difficult to obtain in the Holy City. Josephus even provides us with the scene of inhabitants so desperate that they took to swallowing their silver and gold. These large bronzes must have filled in the gaps in the rebel currency system as the horrific end of the war loomed closer; indeed, they carry legends identifying them as a "half," presumably indicating a fiduciary token standing in for a proper silver 1/2 Shekel.
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| Realized $12,980 |
