The New York Sale
Auction 39 10 January 2017
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ANCIENT JEWISH COINS, BAR KOKHBA, 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. Rev. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. (Mildenberg 85 (O15/R52); TJC 283a; Hendin 1422). Well struck and well centered. Attractively toned. Extremely fine.
ex Abraham Bromberg Collection, part I (Superior, 5 December 1991), lot 163.
The jug and willow branch reverse of this and the following four undated zuzim attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kochba War (as well as many other zuzim in this sale) 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 messianic 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.
Estimate: $ 700
ex Abraham Bromberg Collection, part I (Superior, 5 December 1991), lot 163.
The jug and willow branch reverse of this and the following four undated zuzim attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kochba War (as well as many other zuzim in this sale) 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 messianic 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.
Estimate: $ 700