Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (2.73 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 1420; Mildenberg 91.26 (O16/R71; this coin); TJC 279a. Toned. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $500 - 600
The Brody Family Collection; Ex NFA III (27 March 1976), 145; Dr. Feori Pipito Collection (Superior, 12-14 December 1987), 585.
The odd arrangement of the paleo-Hebrew legend on the obverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) 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.