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Sale 114
The New York Sale
| Anceint Judea from Private American and European Collections |
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Lot 70 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze 29 mm (20.97 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1376; Mildenberg 7 (O2/R2) 5 cited, this being #5; TJC 220b. Pleasing contrasting olive and green patina. Choice Very Fine. Value $7,500 - UP
Ex Shoshana Collection, pt. I (Heritage, March 8-9, 2012), 20232; Ex Alan Levin Collection (Goldberg 41, 27 May 2007), 2533; Ex Superior's Pradeau-Bothamley Part 2, March 30, 1971, #243; Ex Glendening, Oct. 3, 1965, #210.
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Lot 71 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze 33 mm (41.55 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1376; Mildenberg 2 (O1/R2) 24 cited, this being #13; TJC 220b. One of the heaviest examples of this type, weighing a massive 41.55 g. Contrasting earthen patina. Very Fine. Value $7,500 - UP
Ex Shoshana Collection, pt. I (Heritage, March 8-9 2012), 20230; Ex Mayer Offenbach Collection.
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Lot 72 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze (20.88 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1376; Mildenberg 2 (O1/R2), 24 cited; TJC 220b. Very Rare. Uniform pale green patina, well centered. Very Fine. Value $4,000 - UP
The rarest of all Bar Kochba denominations is known by the Arabic nickname "Abu Jara," meaning "father of the jar." The reverse features an amphora, which Romanoff concludes "was the vessel of oil which nourished the flames of the Temple Menorah." This variety of the large bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War (132-135 CE) is notable for its obverse paleo-Hebrew legend which does not name Jerusalem within the wreath anymore, but rather Simon [bar Kokhba] as nasi (president) of Israel. Although nasi is sometimes translated as "prince" rather than "president," it almost certainly refers to Simon bar Kokhba's role as the leader of the Great Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious assembly that originally held court in the Jerusalem Temple before its destruction). The title of nasi was also held by the Hasmonaean High Priest John Hyrcanus I (134-104 BC), who engineered full autonomy for Judaea and who also struck coins featuring a wreathed legend on the obverse.
Ex Mel Wacks Collection. Purchased by the consignor from Hesperia Art, October 1967.
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Lot 73 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Halved Large Bronze 27 mm dia. (11.55 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. cff. Hendin 1376; cf. Mildenberg 1-6 (O1/R?; uncertain rev. die); cf. TJC 305. Rare. Very Fine. Value $2,000 - UP
This is the first 'halved' Large Bronze we have handled. For a full explanation of this unorthodox issue, see David Hendin's Guide to Biblical Coins fifth edition (GBC 5) page 383, where he describes in detail the Story of the Split "Abu Jara".
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Lot 74 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (6.94 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Eleazar the priest' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 1380b and Hendin GBC 4, 681b (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 148 (O1/R2; this coin being #13); TJC 224a. Contrasting reddish-brown patina. Extremely Fine. Value $750 - 750
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 75 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (3.06 g), 132-135 CE. Irregular issue. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 1381b; cf. Mildenberg 277 (uncertain dies); TJC 228. Apparently unpublished. Very Fine. Value $600 - UP
This small bronze denomination is linked to the silver sela'im and one series of large bronze denominations of the first year of the Bar Kokhba War through the use of a paleo-Hebrew legend naming Jerusalem instead of Simon bar Kokhba.
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 76 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.84 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1385; TJC 229. Mildenberg 9 (O1/R8); Extremely Rare - only two examples noted by Mildenberg. Lustrous. Nearly Mint State. Value $8,000 - UP
This sela is especially notable because it is actually a hybrid coin muling a year 1 obverse with a year 2 reverse. This reuse of dies, which is more frequent for the smaller zuz denomination, may indicate the increasing pressures on the rebel mint(s) as the Roman's began to regroup after their initial defeats and prepared for the massive invasion of Judaea that would finally crush Bar Kokhba and his supporters.
Ex Goldberg (June 2010), 2217; Ex Antiqua XIV (December 2006), 87.
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Lot 77 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (11.43 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, + dividing legend. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1386; Mildenberg 10 (O2/R8)18 cited; TJC 229. Lightly toned. About Extremely Fine. Value $7,500 - UP
Ex NAC 64 (18 May 2012), 1849.
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Lot 78 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (12.05 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, + dividing legend. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1386; Mildenberg 11 (O2/R9) only 11 cited; TJC 229. Rare. A needle sharp gem! A beautiful lustrous example and perfectly struck. Mint State. Value $7,500 - UP
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Lot 79 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.91 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Sm' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1390; Mildenberg - (O5'/R-; rev. die not recorded); TJC 245. Extremely Rare - a new reverse die. Lustrous. Extremely Fine. Value $5,000 - UP
This zuz introduces a new reverse type to the silver series: a palm branch standing alone. This type may have been intended to reflect several levels of meaning. Not only could it be seen as a symbol of victory (a little premature as it turned out) for the rebel cause over the Romans, but also as a national symbol of Judaea and perhaps a reference to the Jewish religious festival of Tabernacles.
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Lot 80 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.01 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon', bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1394 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 40 (O7/R12'; this coin being #10); TJC 248. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Value $1,250 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 81 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.32 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. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 80c in GBC 5 TJC 252; cf. Mildenberg 72-83 (O14/R-; rev. die not recorded); Unique - a new reverse die for year 2. Obverse struck from a slipping die, virtually as struck. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $1,500 - UP
It has the same obverse as 1401/2 but the combination was omitted from the 5th edition by error.
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Lot 82 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.35 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. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1401; Mildenberg 60 (O14/R32) 20 cited. Last dies of Year Two; TJC 246. Very scarce. Toned. Choice Very Fine. Value $4,000 - UP
The popular wreathed paleo-Hebrew legend naming Simon [bar Kokhba] and palm branch types appear on this zuz of the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War, but the treatment of the five-letter obverse legend is different that it normally appears.
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 83 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.73 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. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1401 (this coin illus) and Hendin GBC 4, 701 (this coin illus); Mildenberg 59 (O14/R29'; this coin #2); TJC 246. Very scarce. Toned. Choice Very Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 84 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze 31 mm. (14.74 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew within wreath with medallion at top. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1404; Mildenberg 18 (O5/R12), 13 cited; TJC 255. Flan crack as struck and commonly seen on this rare issue. Lovely reddish dark-green patina. The amphora depicted is of the finest style. Extremely Fine. Value $15,000 - UP
The large bronze denomination of the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War is often known by the Arabic nickname "Abu Jara" meaning "father of the jar" because of its very large size and its prominent depiction of an amphora or jar ("jara"). Unlike the majority of the Bar Kokhba coins struck in the second year, this one names Jerusalem rather than Simon bar Kokhba on the obverse. This example is especially desirable as it is struck from the very finest of the Abu Jara dies.
Ex Alan Levin Collection (Goldberg 41, 27 May 2007), 2585.
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Lot 85 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze 30 mm (14.30 g) 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1405 plate coin illus. and Hendin GBC 4, 705 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 19 (O6/R12) only 11 cited; TJC 256. Very Rare. Mottled reddish-brown and green patina. Choice Very Fine. Value $25,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 86 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze (17.45 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1405;TJC 256; Mildenberg 19 (O6/R12), only 11 cited; A finer example than the Mildenberg plate coin and one of the finest specimens in private hands. The rarest of the Abu Jara issues. Emerald-like glossy green patina. About Extremely Fine. Value $18,000 - UP
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Lot 87 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (7.35 g), 132-135 CE. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm branch within wreath. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), wide lyre with five strings. Hendin 1407; Hendin GBC 4, 706 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 28 (O1'/R9), this being #4; TJC 296. Light green and olive patina. Extremely Fine. Value $1,500 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 88 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (9.05 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Sma' (abbreviating Simon; Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 1408; cf. Mildenberg 71 (O5/R-; unrecorded rev. die); TJC 260a. Green and reddish-brown patina. Very Fine. Value $450 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection; Ex Hans Schulman 12/7/74.
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Lot 89 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (10.45 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Sma' (abbreviating Simon; Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 1408; Mildenberg 92 (O7/R56) only 7 cited; TJC 260a. Choice Very Fine. Value $300 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 90 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (9.89 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Sma' (abbreviating Simon; Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 1408a; Hendin GBC 2, 160a (this coin illus.); cf. Mildenberg 66-73 (O5/R-; unrecorded rev. die); TJC 260a. Emperor's portrait on the obverse. Fine. Value $300 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 91 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze, 4.61 g. 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 1410, this being the plate coin and Hendin GBC 4, 710 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 154 (O3/R5; this coin #8); TJC 266. Olive-green patina with earthen highlights. Extremely Fine. Value $1,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 92 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (5.75 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 1410; Mildenberg 154 (O3/R5; this coin #8); TJC 266. Overstruck on a coin of Trajan. Dark green patina with earthen highlights. Rare. Choice Very Fine. Value $800 - UP
Eleazar is not named on this small denomination bronze, his name replaced with that of Jerusalem, the city that served as the root cause of Simon bar Kokhba's Jewish uprising.
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 93 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (4.79 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). 'Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 1410; Hendin GBC 2, 161 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 153 (O2/R6, this being #12); TJC 266. Dark green and olive patina. Extremely Fine. Value $800 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 94 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (13.98 g), 132-135 CE. New Die Combination for Undated Bar Kokhba AR Sela. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1411; TJC 267; Mildenberg - (O12/R57; the dies are known but the die combination is unrecorded; Extremely rare. Lustrous. Extremely Fine. Value $8,000 - UP
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Lot 95 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (13.36 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1411; Mildenberg 82 (O12/R64); TJC 267. Nicely toned. Extremely Fine. Value $5,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 96 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.18 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1411; Mildenberg 87 (O12/R67; this coin #22); TJC 267. Reverse a trifle off-center. Attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $3,500 - UP
The overstruck silver tetradrachms (called "sela" in the Mishnah) are among the most religiously significant coins issued by the ancient Jews, since the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple is depicted, along with the Ark - that had held the two tables of the Ten Commandments in Solomon's time. Beginning in the second year and continuing into the final year, a star appeared above the Temple on many coins, likely alluding to Bar Kochba's nickname "Son of the Star."
Ex Mel Wacks Collection; Ex Hess-Leu 31 (7 December 1966), 541.
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Lot 97 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.40 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1411a; Mildenberg - (O13/R-; unrecorded rev. die); TJC 267. Extremely Rare. Lustrous. Extremely Fine. Value $8,000 - UP
The undated sela'im were struck in the third and final year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kokhba war, and although the types of the Temple and the lulav and etrog are continued, the coins are no longer dated "year 1" or "year 2 of the redemption of Israel" but instead carry the slogan "for the freedom of Jerusalem" on the reverse. The name of the holy city of Jerusalem no longer appears around the Temple (perhaps suggesting it was now out of reach) and is replaced by Bar Kokhba's first name Simon. The messianic vision was being shattered, and the coins convey this message in their own cryptic way.
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Lot 98 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (13.67 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, wavy line. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1413; Hendin GBC 4, 713 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 92 (O17/R71), this being #43; TJC 269. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $6,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 99 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (13.97 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, wavy line. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1413;; TJC 269. Cf. Mildenberg 90 (O17/R--) Struck from an unlisted reverse die. Portions of the undertype visible on both sides. Untoned. About Extremely Fine. Value $4,000 - UP
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Lot 100 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.30 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, wavy line. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1413a; TJC 269; Mildenberg - (O17/R71'; unlisted die combination); Extremely Rare - the die combination not recorded in Mildenberg. Now published in Kaufman's Additions to Leo Mildenberg's Corpus of The Coinage of the Bar Kokhba War, Israel Numismatic Journal, Vol. 14 2000-2002 #8 (O17/R71). Lustrous, lightly toned. Mint State. Value $8,000 - UP
Instead of the + symbol that appeared above the Temple façade in the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War and on some of the undated sela'im of the third year, this sela features a wavy line instead. The precise meaning of this new design element is not certain. If the + symbol was intended as the star of Bar Kokhba's name, does its replacement with a wavy line mean that the rebels had begun to give up on his messianic quality, or does it simply represent either the roof of the temple or the golden vine that adorned it during the time of Herod?
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Lot 101 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.31 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1416 (this coin illus); Mildenberg 64 (O14/R36) 13 cited; TJC 279c. Toned. Extremely Fine. Value $800 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 102 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.14 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Shim'on' (Paleo-Hebrew), in two lines within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, and tendrils below. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem', two trumpets upright. Hendin 1417 (this coin illus) and Hendin GBC 4, 716 (this coin illus.); Mildeberg 67 (O14/R39) this #11; TJC 276b. Partial portrait seen on obverse. Nicely toned and well centered. Extremely Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection; Ex Superior's Dowdy Sale, June, 1976, 156.
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Lot 103 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.10 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1418 and Hendin GBC 4, 717 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 78 (O14/R50; this coin #3); TJC 283. Nicely toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection; Hess-Leu (3 April 1963), J71; Ex Pozzi Collection (Naville I, 14 March 1921), 3088.
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Lot 104 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.23 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1419 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 70 (O14/R42); TJC 272. Attractively toned. Choice Very Fine. Value $800 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 105 |
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Withdrawn
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Lot 106 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.21 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simna' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion between two pairs of dots at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1422; TJC 283a; Mildenberg 111 (O16/R77); Extremely Rare die combination - only one example cited by Mildenberg. Very Fine. Value $2,000 - UP
The jug and willow branch reverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War are objects used in the water libation ceremony performed before the altar of the Jerusalem Temple during the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Since the Temple and its altar had been destroyed long before by Titus and the Roman legions in 70 CE, the reference to this ritual on the coins served as a rallying cry to remind the rebels of what had been lost to the Romans in the First Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE) and to inflame their desire to fight as the Romans returned to crush the new insurrection.
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Lot 107 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.37 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simna' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1422; Mildenberg 107 (O16/R73 this being #5); TJC 283a. Toned. Extremely Fine. Value $1,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 108 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.02 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1424; TJC 272a; Mildenberg - (O16/R-; unrecorded reverse die); Extremely Rare - reverse die unknown to Mildenberg. Now listed in Kaufman's Additions to Leo Mildenberg's Corpus of the Coinage of the Bar Kokhba War, Israel Numismatic Journal, Vol 14 2000-2002, #16. Extremely Fine. Value $3,000 - UP
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Lot 109 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.10 g), 132-135 CE. Irregular issue. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem', elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin -; TJC -; Mildenberg -; Very Rare. Now published in Kaufman's Additions to Leo Mildenberg's Corpus of the Coinage of the Bar Kokhba War, Israel Numismatic Journal, Vol 14, 2000-2002 #16. Profile of Trajan visible on the reverse. Lustrous. Choice Very Fine. Value $2,000 - UP
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Lot 110 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.29 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1424 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 101 (O16/R69) 23 cited; TJC 272a. Toned. Extremely Fine. Value $800 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 111 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.08 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) in two lines within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, and tendrils below, pair of dots, one inside and one outside, between each section. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem', palm branch. Hendin 1425 and Hendin GBC 4, 724 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 122 (O18/R80; this coin #9); TJC 279. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Value $900 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 112 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.26 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), in two lines within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, and tendrils below. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem', two trumpets upright, dot between (faint). Hendin 1426; Hendin GBC 4, 726 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 124 (O19/R86; only 4 cited, this coin #3); TJC 276. Beautifully toned. Extremely Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 113 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.98 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1427; Mildenberg 133 (O19/R93, this coin #8); TJC 283. Toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 114 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.08 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1429; TJC 272c. Mildenberg 119 (O18/R83); Extremely Rare - only one example cited by Mildenberg. Choice Very Fine. Value $2,000 - UP
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Lot 115 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.97 g), 132-135 CE. Irregular issue. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Sim' (Paleo-Hebrew; retrograde and inverted) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin -, but cf. 1429 for the regular issue; TJC 273; Mildenberg 241 (O38/R158, only 4 cited); Extremely Rare Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan. Toned Choice Very Fine. Value $1,500 - UP
This coin was struck at a secondary mint rather than the main Bar Kokhba mint facility. The irregular mint's overstruck circulating coins in the same way as the primary mint. However, it issued many fewer coins. While their production values are about the same quality, they were struck from drastically inferior dies that often look almost like caricatures of the originals. While Bar Kokhba coins depict incomplete legends or abbreviations, the irregular coins have drastically crude, incomplete, or retrograde inscriptions due to the inexperienced workers who created the dies. The dies from the regular issue Bar Kokhba coins are never struck in combination with coins of the irregular facility (or facilities).
Ex Mel Wacks Collection.
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Lot 116 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.32 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 1429; Hendin GBC 2, 167 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 130(O19/R67; this coin #43); TJC 272c. Lustrous. Mint State. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 117 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.25 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1430; Hendin GBC 2, 169 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 150 (O11/R103) 7 cited, this being #5; TJC 272c. Portions of the undertype legend visible on obverse. Nicely toned. Extremely Fine. Value $800 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 118 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.05 g), 132-135 CE. Irregular issue. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1430a; Mildenberg 265 (O57/R179) 11 cited, this being #5; TJC 281. Rare. Nearly Extremely Fine. Value $3,000 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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Lot 119 |
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Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.24 g, 132-135 CE). Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), two upright trumpets without dot between. Hendin 1431; Hendin GBC 2, 171 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 187 (O22/R121) only 11 cited.; TJC 277. Beautifully toned. Extremely Fine. Value $1,200 - UP
Ex David Hendin Collection.
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