The New York Sale
Auction 48 14 Jan 2020
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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. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1422; TJC 283a; Mildenberg 111 (O16/R77); Extremely Rare die combination - only one example cited by Mildenberg. Very Fine. Value $2,000 - UP
The jug and willow branch reverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War 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 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.
The jug and willow branch reverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year (134/5 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War 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 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.