Catalogue information

LastDodo number
5884273
Area
Coins
Title
Judea 1 zuz (Bar Kochba revolt, year 3) 134-135
Country
Face value
Year
133
Variety / overstrike
Type
Designer
Series
Theme
Material
Gold- or silver content
Weight
3.26
Diameter
19
Thickness
Punch
Shape
Obverse
Year G (3) Freedom of Jerusalem (in ancient Hebrew)
Reverse
Shimon (in ancient Hebrew)
Edge
Privy mark
Mint mark
Number produced
Krause and Mishler number
Hendin 693
Catalogue number
Details
Grapes & trumpets The leader of the Second Revolt (132-135 CE) was Shim'on Bar Koseba. He was known as Bar Kochba, meaning "Son of the Star," in reference to messianic expectations of the verse: "There shall step forth a star (kochab) out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17). Indeed, one of the greatest sages of the time - Rabbi Akiva - had proclaimed Bar Kochba as the messiah. The name "Shim'on" appears on all of the coins of the Second Revolt except for a few types issued at the beginning of the revolt with the name "Eleazar the Priest (Cohen)," who may have been Bar Kochba's uncle. Unlike the situation at the start of the First Revolt, in Bar Kochba's time there was no Temple and no Temple Treasury. So, in order to mint their own coins as a sign of sovereignty, they gathered all of the bronze and silver foreign (Rome, Syria, Phoenicia, etc.) coins circulating in Judaea. Then they filed off the original designs and restamped them with Jewish symbols and Hebrew inscriptions relating to their hope of rebuilding the Temple. Many coins exhibit parts of the original designs and legends. Coins of the first two years are dated Year 1 and Year 2 "of the Freedom (or Redemption) of Israel (or Jerusalem)." But in the third year, when the revolt became more of a defensive guerrilla action, the inscription changed to the hope "For the Freedom of Jerusalem." The overstruck silver tetradrachms (called "sela" in the Mishnah) are among the most religiously significant coins issued by the ancient Jews, since the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple is depicted, along with the Ark - that had held the two tablets of the Ten Commandments in Solomon's time. "Jerusalem" was inscribed around the Temple. (#98) Beginning in the second year (#99) and continuing into the final year (#100), a star appeared above the Temple on many coins, likely alluding to Bar Kochba's nickname "Son of the Star." And some of these large silver coins issued in the third year of the revolt feature a wavy line above the Temple, perhaps representing an ornamental grape vine.