Watch List notes:

JUDAEA, First Jewish War. 66-70 CE. Half Shekel (Bronze, 24 mm, 13.80 g, 12 h), Jerusalem, Year 4 = 69/70. 'For the redemption of Zion' (in Hebrew) Seven-branched palm-tree between two baskets filled with fruits. Rev. 'Year Four, Half' (in Hebrew) Etrog between two lulavs. AJC II, p. 262, 27a. Hendin 1367. Meshorer 211a. Sofaer 40 (same reverse die). Very rare and among the finest known examples. Somewhat smoothed and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.


Struck in the fourth year of the Jewish Revolt, the very rare bronze half shekels were issued as an emergency money in a Jerusalem under siege, replacing the silver coinage after the precious metal reserves of the rebels had been depleted.