Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
JUDAEA, Jewish War. 66-70 CE. AR Shekel (21.5mm, 13.44 g, 12h). Jerusalem mint. Dated year 4 (69/70 CE). Omer cup; "Y[ear] 4" (date) in Hebrew above, "Shekel of Israel" (in Hebrew) around / Sprig of three pomegranates; "Jerusalem the holy" in Hebrew around. Deutsch 8 var. (O–/R8 [unlisted obv. die]); Meshorer 207; Kadman 27; Hendin 1364; Bromberg 382; Shoshana I 20212 = Shoshana II 20124; Sofaer 36; Spaer 178. Toned, underlying luster, traces of find patina. Near EF. Rare. Well centered and struck. Among the finest of Year 4 Shekels.
From the Batory Collection. Ex Brody Family Collection (Part I, New York Sale XXXIX, 10 January 2017), lot 41 (hammer $30,000).
Year 4 shekels are decidedly rarer than those of Years 1-3, reflecting the deteriorating military and political situation of the Judean rebels. While surviving shekels of each of the first three years number in the hundreds, fewer than 50 survive for Year 4. The Jewish forces, increasingly confined to the environs of Jerusalem, were suffering severe shortages of everything from precious metals to foodstuffs, meaning there was far less silver available to strike coins, and very little in the way of goods for them to be spent buying. The dies used for striking coins also show signs of haste in preparation.
From the Batory Collection. Ex Brody Family Collection (Part I, New York Sale XXXIX, 10 January 2017), lot 41 (hammer $30,000).
Year 4 shekels are decidedly rarer than those of Years 1-3, reflecting the deteriorating military and political situation of the Judean rebels. While surviving shekels of each of the first three years number in the hundreds, fewer than 50 survive for Year 4. The Jewish forces, increasingly confined to the environs of Jerusalem, were suffering severe shortages of everything from precious metals to foodstuffs, meaning there was far less silver available to strike coins, and very little in the way of goods for them to be spent buying. The dies used for striking coins also show signs of haste in preparation.