ANCIENT JEWISH COINS, BAR KOKHBA, Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.33 g), 132-135 CE. Hybrid year 1, year 2 (132/3-133/4 CE). 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Rev. 'Year two of the freedom of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), palm branch. (Mildenberg 10 (O2/R8); TJC 237; Hendin 1382). Boldly struck and delicately toned. Superb extremely fine.
Purchased privately from D. Hendin, October 1989
ex Maltiel-Gerstenfeld Collection.
This and the following zuz represent hybrid coins struck from two reverse dies, one from the first year (132/3 CE) and the other from the second year (133/4 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War. According to (Mildenberg's die studies, the Year 1 / 2 hybrids were struck quite early in the second year.
Estimate: $ 9,000