Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 135

The Pre-Long Beach Sale June

Judean Coinage

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1651		Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Prutah (3.27 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 3 (68/9 CE). 'Year three' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with broad rim, conical lid, and two handles. Reverse: 'The freedom of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on small branch with tendril. Hendin 6392; TJC 204. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Menashe Landman Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 71, 22 September 2021), 109. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $240
Lot 1652		Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (13.45 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Shekel of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, 'year 4'. Reverse: 'Jerusalem the holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 6393; GBC-5, 1364; TJC 207. Deutsch 22. Boldly struck and well centered on a nice full flan. Lightly toned. A marvelous example of this very rare year 4 shekel. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $25,000 - UP The fourth year (AD 69) of the Jewish Revolt against Rome marked the beginning of the end for the rebels. Although they had enjoyed some initial success against forces sent against them by Cestius Gallus, the Roman legate of Syria in the first year of the revolt (AD 66), in the second year, command of the war was given to the general Vespasian, who immediately set about crushing the rebels in Galilee. By the end of the Galilee campaign of AD 67, Vespasian is said to have killed or enslaved some 100,000 rebels and had taken prisoner Joseph ben Matityahu, a man who had been the governor of Galilee for the rebel provisional government in Jerusalem, but became the historian of the Jewish Revolt under his Latin name, Flavius Josephus. In the third year (AD 68), Vespasian had established his headquarters at Caesarea Maritima and embarked upon new campaigns to repress Jewish rebels in Samaria, Idumaea and the hill country of Judaea, leaving only Jerusalem and its immediate environs as well as several fortresses, like Masada, in rebel hands. Vespasian halted his seemingly inexorable advance in the summer after news arrived that Nero had committed suicide and chaos reigned in Rome as military commanders raced to claim the imperial purple for themselves. At last, on July 1 of the fourth year of the Jewish Revolt (AD 69), Vespasian was proclaimed emperor by his troops and departed to take power in Rome, leaving his son Titus to carry on the war against the rebels. Unfortunately, the Jewish rebels did not make good use of the respite brought by the Year of the Four Emperors. Instead most of AD 68 and 69 was taken up by a civil war that erupted when John of Gischala the radical leader of the failed rebellion in Galilee withdrew to Jerusalem. There was already great tension in the city between Ananias ben Ananias, the priestly moderate leader of the rebel provisional government and the Zealots who had taken possession of the Temple. John initially supported Ananias in besieging the Zealots in the Temple, but then assisted the besieged in obtaining aid from the Idumeans. Ananias was killed in the resultant fighting and the Zealots splintered into two mutually hostile factions: one recognizing the leadership of John of Gischala and the other recognizing Eleazar ben Simon. The unstable rule of the Zealot factions became increasingly tyrannical and in early spring AD 69, the remnants of the shattered provisional government somewhat unwisely invited Simon bar Giora and his army of Sicarii ("dagger-men") into the city in an effort to regain some measure of control. A violent three-way conflict for dominance in Jerusalem ensued between the three factions that was only brought to a shaky truce by the arrival of Titus and his legions before the walls of Jerusalem in April AD 70. The fourth year of the Jewish Revolt had been frittered away on senseless and bloody fighting between faction leaders in Jerusalem when it could have been better used to fight the Romans before they reached the gates of the Holy City. By the time Titus was present and preparing for a siege it was far too late. Jerusalem and its people were thus condemned to an horrific fifth and final year of the Jewish Revolt by leaders who could not see the big picture, but only their own egos, and cared only for their own personal aggrandizement and power. The extremely rare shekels of the fourth year of the Jewish Revolt tend to be somewhat cruder in style and in the quality of engraving than the issues of the preceding three years, no doubt reflecting the political and military chaos in Jerusalem at the time of their production. The coins were probably struck within the Temple precinct and most likely from the silver collected in it, as there can have been few other sources of bullion for the beleaguered Jews in AD 69. Since John of Gischala and his Zealots controlled the Temple in year four of the Jewish Revolt it seems very likely that they were the driving force behind the shekels struck in this year. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Palm Desert Collection (NYS XLV, 8 January 2019), 131. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $40,800
Lot 1653		Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (13.58 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Shekel of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, 'year 4'. Reverse: 'Jerusalem the holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 6393; TJC 207. Extremely Rare, with only bout 50 examples known in all grades. Struck a bit off centerd with beautiful old collection toning. Very Fine. Estimated Value $17,500 - UP The disasters brought by the internecine conflict among the Jewish rebel factions in the third year of the Jewish War turned into horror in the fourth (April 69-March 70 CE) as Titus marched south against Jerusalem and laid siege to the heavily fortified city. The Jews trapped within faced the torment of starvation. Hunger stalked the streets and compelled the Jerusalemites to eat the leather from their shoes, belts, and even the coverings of their shields. Some even descended to cannibalism in order to survive. By this point, the possibility of redeeming Zion from the Romans, as indicated by the coin legend, was long past and the tragic fall of the Holy City was soon to come. The E. Elovic Collection; Ex Abraham Yesharim Collection. Comes with an export license issued by the Israel Antiquities Authority and COA from the Archaeological Center in Tel Aviv. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $27,600
Lot 1654		Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Quarter (8.76 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four, quarter' (Paleo-Hebrew), two lulav branches. Reverse: 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), etrog. Hendin 6397; TJC 213. Rare. Olive-green patina. A very choice example. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP The lulav branches and etrog types depicted on the token bronze quarter shekels of the fourth year (April 69-March 70 CE) of the Jewish War refer to Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, which was both a harvest celebration and a commemoration of the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This typology may appear at this time because the rebels had reached the point of no return and had no hope of surviving the coming Roman onslaught without divine aid. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,340
Lot 1655		Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Quarter (6.89 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four, quarter' (Paleo-Hebrew), two lulav branches. Reverse: 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), etrog. Hendin 6397; TJC 213. Rare. Uniform olive-green patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 58 (7 April 2015), 38. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380
Lot 1656		Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Eighth (5.89 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav branch flanked by an etrog on either side. Reverse: 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), chalice with pearled rim. Hendin 6398; TJC 214. Olive-green patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; ExArchaeological Center, R. Deutsch 58 (7 April 2015), 40. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $660
Lot 1657		Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Eighth (4.74 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav branch flanked by an etrog on either side. Reverse: 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), chalice with pearled rim. Hendin 6398; TJC 214. Reddish-brown patina. Full legends. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $350 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 55 (24 September 2013), 79. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 1658		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 30mm Æ Large Bronze (24.55 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 6405; cf. Mildenberg 9 (O2/R4); TJC 220. Very Rare - only three specimens cited by Mildenberg. Dark green patina. Bold. Very Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP 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. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Antiqua; Goldberg 100 (5 September 2017), 2082. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,300
Lot 1659		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 22mm Æ Medium Bronze (11.03 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm branch within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), wide lyre with five strings. Hendin 6406; Mildenberg 20 (O1/R1); TJC 223b. Rare. Natural green and brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP The reverse type of this bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War is commonly identified as a nevel, a stringed instrument thought to have been similar to the Greek chelys. Although the kinnor - a related instrument similar to the Greek kithara - was prescribed as an instrument to be played in the Jerusalem Temple, the nevel had an even more important status in some rabbinical Jewish traditions. It was said that the world was actually sung into existence to the accompaniment of a perfect 22-stringed nevel. The reverberating notes of these strings subsequently became the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Considering the messianic flavor of the Bar Kokhba revolt one wonders whether the nevel type alludes to a new creation for Judaea free from Roman oppression. The palm branch on the obverse may perhaps celebrate the early victories of the Bar Kokhba rebels during "year one of the redemption of Israel." The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 143. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $810
Lot 1660		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 36mm Æ Medium Bronze (11.70 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 6407; Mildenberg 46 (O2/R11); TJC 222. Olive and brown patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP The vine leaf reverse of the middle bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War takes its inspiration from the prutot of the earlier failed Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE) that employed a similar type. In this way the Bar Kokhba War was presented as a continuation of the earlier fight and lent it legitimacy in historical terms. The palm tree was a symbol of Judaea going back at least to the time of the Jewish Revolt since it regularly appears on Roman coins in conjunction with Jewish captives under Vespasian and his successors. The seven branches consciously recall the seven arms of the menorah, perhaps the Jewish symbol par excellence. The palm tree was also prominent on coins of the Galileean city of Sepphoris, which became an important center of rabbinical Judaism after the Bar Kokhba War. The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 58 (7 April 2015), 46. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 1661		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 27mm Æ Medium Bronze (17.09 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 6407; Mildenberg 42 (O1/R9); TJC 222. Attractive uniform reddish-brown patina. A very choice example. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 97. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,110
Lot 1662		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 17mm Æ Small Bronze (6.41 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 6409; Mildenberg 147 (O1/R1); TJC 224. Rare. Uniform dark brown patina. Boldly struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP The small bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War is typologically connected to the middle bronze palm tree denominations. The palm tree emblem of Judaea appears again on the obverse, but on the reverse the vine leaf of the middle bronze denomination is replaced by a grape bunch. In contrast to the medium bronze denominations, the small denomination does not name Simon bar Kokhba, but Eleazar the priest. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 56 (17 April 2014), 63. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $630
Lot 1663		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.13 g), 132-135 CE. Hybrid year 1/2 (132/3-133/4 CE). 'Sma' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom. Reverse: 'Eleazar the priest' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, palm branch. Hendin 6413; Mildenberg 8 (O4/R6); TJC 235. Boldly struck and needle sharp. Pleasing dark grey tone. Among the finest seen. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP This hybrid zuz mules two obverse dies of different years of the Bar Kokhba War. The wreathed obverse die with the abbreviated name of Simon bar Kokhba belongs to the second year (132/3 CE) while the jug obverse die belongs to the first year and names Eleazar the priest. It has been suggested that Simon's name is abbreviated here (and on other coins) in such a way that it could also be read as the word shema ("hear"), the first word in Deuteronomy 6: 4 ("Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One.") which is the centerpiece of morning and evening Jewish prayer known as the Shema Yisrael. Based on this view it has been further proposed that the Shema prayer served as a rallying cry for the Bar Kokhba rebels. The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 74. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 1664		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (13.32 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 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, cross. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 6416a; Mildenberg 15 (O4/R8); TJC 230. Rare. Perfectly centered on a nice broad flan. Lightly toned, darkening around the devices. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $6,000 - UP The obverse of this year 2 sela issue depicts the Jerusalem Temple but now features a + shape above the façade whereas this space was taken up by part of the paleo-Hebrew legend on the issues of the first year of the Bar Kokhba War. There is a great deal of controversy over whether this added symbol was intended to depict a star and advertise Simon bar Kokhba's supposed messianic ambitions. The patronymic of the rebel leader was actually bar Kosiba but he assumed the name bar Kokhba (literally "son of a star") as his nom de guerre because of its association with the messianic prophecy of Numbers 24:17. The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Goldberg 117 (15 September 2020), 2157; Kenneth Brattlie Collection, purchased privately from Antiqua, NYINC, 9 January 2008. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $15,000
Lot 1665		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (12.09 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 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: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 6417; Mildenberg 21 (O4/R14); TJC 233. A beautiful example. Delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $8,000 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 58 (7 April 2015), 42. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,200
Lot 1666		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.92 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), wide lyre with three strings and four dots on sound box. Hendin 6418; Mildenberg 15 (O3/R10); GBC-5 1389; TJC 238. Extremely Rare - only six specimens cited by Mildenberg, this being finer than the Mildenberg plate coin. Legend of the undertype coin clearly visible. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP This zuz of the second year of the Bar Kokhba War reflects interesting iconographic and political developments as the threat of a massive Roman invasion of Judaea loomed. The wreathed paleo-Hebrew legend type naming Simon bar Kokhba has evolved from the preceding large bronzes of the first year, which is notable because the zuzim of that year originally carried the name of Eleazar whom Simon may have killed in a fit of rage at his betrayal. The musical instrument on the reverse, probably the kinnor used in the Temple, also appeared previously on medium bronzes of the first year. It is unclear why these particular bronze-inspired types were employed for silver zuzim in the second year when they were still in use for large and medium bronze denominations, respectively. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Goldberg 106 (4 September 2018), 1207; Biblical Numismatic Society, purchased 1980. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,000
Lot 1667		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.96 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), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 6420; Mildenberg 33 (O5'/R21); TJC 250. Rare. Struck on a denarius of Vespasian, whose portrait is partly visible on the obverse. Silver chloride oxidation on the surfaces. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 66 (23 April 2019), 50. Includes an export license issued by the Israel Antiquities Authority and COA from the Archaelogical Center in Tel Aviv. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,050
Lot 1668		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.40 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), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 6424; Mildenberg 39.15 (O7/R18'; this coin); TJC 253a (this coin illus.). Rare. Boldly struck nd quite sharp. Toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP Both the grape bunch and the jug with willow branch types of the zuzim of the second year of the Bar Kokhba War take their typological queue from the zuz issue of the first year, but invert obverse and reverse types. Also notable is the removal of the paleo-Hebrew legend naming Eleazar the priest and its replacement with an inscription naming Simon bar Kokhba. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 80. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,440
Lot 1669		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.17 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6425; Mildenberg 47 (O8/R27); TJC 242. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP Ex S. Moussaieff Collection (Goldberg 110, 4 June 2019), 1723. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,020
Lot 1670		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.00 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6425; Mildenberg 47 (O8/R27); TJC 242. Overstruck on a Trajan drachm with parts of the portrait and reverse legend visible. With an NGC insert where graded Ch XF; Strike: 3/5, Surface: 3/5. Our grade Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Ex Dr. Patrick Tan Collection (Goldberg 102, 11 January 2018), 293. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $930
Lot 1671		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.30 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; pairs of dots between each section of wreath. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6431; Mildenberg 57.17 (O16/R69; this coin); TJC 241. Rare. Well struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,250 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 83. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,560
Lot 1672		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (6.46 g), 132-135 CE. Year Two. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm branch within wreath. Reverse: 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), wide lyre with four strings. Hendin 6435; Mildenberg 29 (O2/R9); TJC 296. Rare. Chocolate reddish brown patina. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collectionn; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 59 (30 September 2015), 33. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $528
Lot 1673		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 6438; Mildenberg 154.8 (O3/R5; this coin); TJC 266. Rare. Dark green and reddish patina with earthen highlights. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $500 - 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. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex David Hendin Collection (NYS XLVIII, 14 January 2020), 92. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $576
Lot 1674		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 6438; Hendin GBC 2, 161 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 153.12 (O2/R6; this coin); TJC 266. Dark green and olive patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex David Hendin Collection (NYS XLVIII, 14 January 2020), 93. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,110
Lot 1675		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.88 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 6439; Mildenberg 85 (O12//R44'); TJC 267. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - UP The Century Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,600
Lot 1676		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (12.25 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 6439; Mildenberg 62 (O14/R47); TJC 267. Toned. Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 55 (24 September 2013), 85. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,560
Lot 1677		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, without etrog. Hendin 6440; Mildenberg 58 (O13/R44); TJC 270d. Boldly struck and toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - UP This undated sela attributed to the third year of the Bar Kokhba War lacks the etrog (citron) that normally accompanies the lulav bundle on its reverse. This omission suggests hasty engraving and production in the face of the overwhelming Roman assault that finally ended the war. It further connects this coin to several zuzim issues that omit the willow branch from their reverse dies. It is unclear whether this peculiarity warrants the classification of such zuzim and this sela as issues of the irregular Bar Kokhba mint. Dr. E. Elovic Collecction; Purchased from Liderman, Tel Aviv, with COA. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,320
Lot 1678		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.50 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 6441; Mildenberg 92.15 (O17/R71; this coin); TJC 269a (this coin). An absolutely amazing coin struck from the most beautiful die in the Bar Kokhba sela series. Could easily set a new record price. Boldly struck on a full flan and delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $20,000 - 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.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? The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex P. Tishbi Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 62, 13 April 2017), 113 (the cover coin, both front and back!). View details and enlarged photos	Realized $22,000
Lot 1679		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.18 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 6443; Mildenberg 64 (O14/R36); TJC 279c. Boldly struck, needle sharp, and superb. Lightly toned. Virtually as struck. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP Zuz, the Hebrew name for the small silver issues that made up the bulk of the precious metal coinage produced by the Jewish rebels in the third year (135/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War, was only discovered in 1961, when a cache of documents was uncovered in a cave complex in the Dead Sea area. This included letters, receipts, and other documents apparently hidden near the end of the war and which referred to zuzim and sela'im with respect to a sale of land. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center Auction Tel Aviv, lot 91. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,280
Lot 1680		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.62 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 6443; Mildenberg 64.4 (O14/R36; this coin); TJC 279c (this coin illus.). Boldly struck and well centered. A lovely example and quite sharp. Toned, and rarely seen this choice. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP The odd arrangement of the paleo-Hebrew legend on the obverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year of the Bar Kokhba War makes the name of rebel leader, Simon [bar Kokhba], read as Simna. This and other errors in the legends that occur on Bar Kokhba issues may imply that some (many?) engravers were merely copying the letters and may not have had the ability to actually read and understand them. Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Gershon Bineth Collection (Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 67, 17 October 2019), 84. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,440
Lot 1681		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.39 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 6445; Mildenberg 72 (O14/R44); TJC 283b. Lustrous. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Our grade Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP Ex Dr. Patrick Tan Collection (Goldberg 102, 11 January 2018), 304. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,920
Lot 1682		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.16 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 6446; Mildenberg 70 (O14/R42); TJC 272. Well struck and centered. Very Fine. Estimated Value $650 - UP The Century Collection; Ex CNG 41 (19 March 1997), 750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $930
Lot 1683		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.34 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), upright palm branch. Hendin 6447; Mildenberg 93 (O15/R62); TJC 279a. With an NGC insert graded AU; Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. Our grade Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Ex Dr. Patrick Tan Collection (Goldberg 102, 11 January 2018), 307. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $960
Lot 1684		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.23 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Shim'on', 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 6448; Mildeberg 67 (O14/R39); TJC 276b. Rare. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex S. Moussaieff Collection (Goldberg 1104 June 2019), 1735. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 1685		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.15 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 6451; Mildenberg 84 (O14/R54); TJC 272. Perfectly centered and well struck, with underlying luster. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex S. Moussaieff Collection (Goldberg 1104 June 2019), 1740. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,560
Lot 1686		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 6451 (this coin illus.); Mildenberg 101 (O16/R69); TJC 272a. Toned, with underlying luster. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $700 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex David Hendin Collection (NYS XLVIII, 14 January 2020), 110. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,380
Lot 1687		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.08 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Shim'on', 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 6452; Mildenberg 122.9 (O18/R80; this coin); TJC 279. Lightly toned. Lustrous and struck on a nice wide flan. Legends of the host coin (a drachm of Trajan) visible on both sides. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex David Hendin Collection (NYS XLVIII, 14 January 2020), 111. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,050
Lot 1688		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.00 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; no willow branch. Hendin 6455; Mildenberg 133 (O19/R93); TJC 284. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 56 (17 April 2014), 43. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,110
Lot 1689		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.18 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, dot between. Hendin 6458; Mildenberg 199 (O24/R86); TJC 277. Host coin is a denarius of Trajan with the outline of his portrait and partial legend visible. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 56 (17 April 2014), 51. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,860
Lot 1690		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.15 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, dot between. Hendin 6458; Mildenberg 167 (O21/R107); TJC 277. Well struck on a nice brad flan, and lustrous. Ghosting of undertype visible. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex S. Moussaieff Collection (Goldberg 110, 4 June 2019), 1735. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,860
Lot 1691		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.40 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, dot between. Hendin 6458; Mildenberg 199 (O24/R86); TJC 277. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian with his partial portrait visible. Lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $800 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Purchased from Liderman, Tel Aviv, with COA. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,800
Lot 1692		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.06 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 174 (O22/R109); TJC 274. A magnificent example. Boldly struck and perfectly centered. A needle-sharp strike and every grape on the vine can be counted! Luster still vident. Virually as struck. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $1,250 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 64 (4 April 2018), 69; Dr. Stephen F. Serbin Collection (USA). View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,800
Lot 1693		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.39 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 186 (O22/R120); TJC 274. Lovely old cabinet tone. Partial legends of host coin visible. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP The grape bunch and kinnor type combination of this zuz continues types first introduced for the silver denomination in the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War. Although the specimen here is complete, some examples appear to have been cut in antiquity. Some commentators have considered the cutting to have been a means of invalidating the coins after the disastrous conclusion of the war while others have suggested that they simply represent an expedient for making change.Problematic for the invalidation theory is the fact that so few cut coins are known, but at the same time cut fractional coinage is also a great rarity in the ancient world once coin-usage became firmly established. The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 57 (14 October 2014), 65. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,080
Lot 1694		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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 210 (O24/R135); TJC 274. Overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. Underlying luster present. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $750 - UP The Century Collection; Ex CNG 41 (19 March 1997), 755. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,110
Lot 1695		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.30 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 139.19 (O11/R43; this coin); TJC 274. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian with his name clear. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex David Hendin Collection (NYS XLVIII, 14 January 2020), 124; el Fawar Hoard. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,020
Lot 1696		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.48 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), elongated lyre with three strings. Hendin 6462; Mildenberg 139 (O11/R43); TJC 274. Area of flatness on grapes. With an NGC insert graded AU; Strike: 3/5, Surface: 5/5. Our grade Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $750 - UP Ex Dr. Patrick Tan Collection (Goldberg 102, 11 January 2018), 312. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,170
Lot 1697		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 27mm Æ Medium Bronze (16.62 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), vine leaf on tendril. Hendin 6464; Mildenberg 128 (O10/R92); TJC 289. Boldly struck on a nice wide flan. Glossy dark reddish-green patina. A marvelous middle bronze. Some minor roughness. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 63 (10 October 2017), 44; David Brown Collection, Jerusalem. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $810
Lot 1698		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Medium Bronze (12.07 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 6464; Mildenberg 118 (O10/R82); TJC 291. Glossy brown patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $250 - UP Frm the Century Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $900
Lot 1699		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. 19mm Æ Small Bronze (3.68 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Eleazar the priest' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 6465; Mildenberg 149 (O1/R3); TJC 300. Rare. Pleasing green patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP This undated small bronze attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War is an oddity in that it mules an earlier obverse die naming Eleazar the priest of the first year (132/3 CE) with a third year reverse. As other known silver and bronze hybrid issues reveal, the main mint of the Bar Kokhba rebels retained at least some of its earlier dies for reuse in subsequent years, perhaps to fill in a gap between the beginning of the new year and the completion of new obverse dies to pair with the new reverse dies of the year. The Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 53 (4 October 2012), 31. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $750
Lot 1700		Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (4.93 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to Year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf; c/m: Roman head right. Hendin 6467; Mildenberg 158 (O4/R8); TJC 302b. Boldly struck with full legends. Dark olive-brown patina with pleasing contrasting earthen highlights. Highly unusual countermark of a Roman head seen on the reverse. About Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP Dr. E. Elovic Collection; Ex Archaeological Center, R. Deutsch 55 (24 September 2013), 119. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,880

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