The New York Sale
Auction 42 9 Jan 2018
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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. rev. 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1420; Mildenberg 93 (O15/R62); TJC 279a. Very Rare - only four specimens cited by Mildenberg. Virtually as struck. Removed from an NGC slab where graded AU; Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. Our grade Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $600
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
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.
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
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.