Lot 118
Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.40 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Rev. 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. (Mildenberg 57 (O14/R27); TJC 241a; Hendin 1403). Delicately toned. Superb extremely fine. Estimate $1,000UP
Purchased privately from Superior at the NYINC, December 1989.
His zuz of the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kochba War features a wreathed paleo-Hebrew legend naming Simon [bar Kochba] on the obverse and a palm branch on the reverse. This type combination was probably meant to simultaneously advertise the hoped for victory over the Romans that was gradually slipping away while shoring up Simon bar Kochba's legitimacy. Similar wreathed inscrip-tions and palm branches had previously graced the coins of the Hasmonaean High Priest John Hyrcanus I (14-104 BCE) after he claimed autonomy from the Seleukid kingdom.
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| Realized $2,832 |
