ANCIENT JEWISH COINS, BAR KOKHBA, Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.36 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with leaf and tendril. Rev. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three strings. (Mildenberg 181 (O22/R115); TJC 274; Hendin 1435). Scarce - only ten specimens cited in Mildenberg. Late die-state exhibiting a heavy die-break. Beautifully toned. Superb extremely fine.
Purchased privately from I. Goldberg, January 1999.
This specimen is notable for its clearly late die state and the damage to the die that suggests heavy use. Since die damage increased over time it is possible to determine the relative relationship between coins over the life of the die that struck them. Those produced early in the life of the die will look clean, but gradually small breaks appear, which expand through continued use of the die until at last the types are so marred that the die must be retired.
Estimate: $ 700