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Wonderful Year Two Jewish War Silver Shekel
274
Judaea. The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (13.63 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 2 (67/8 CE). ‘Shekel of Israel’
(Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, ‘year
2’.Rev. ‘Jerusalem the holy’ (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. (TJC 193;
Hendin 1358) Excellent metal and lustrous. NGC graded Choice AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Nearly
Mint State.
$7,000
Ex Heritage Auction 3032, lot 23438.
The second year of the Jewish War against Rome (April 67-March 68 CE) saw the Zealot-led rebellion in the Gal-
ilee crushed by the forces of Vespasian, soon to become the imperial successor of Nero. During this cam-
paign, the future historian Josephus was famously placed in command of the fortress at Gamla. When it was clear
that all was lost, the leadership agreed not to surrender to the Romans, choosing instead to die by killing one oth-
er by lot. When all were dead but Josephus and one other man, they both fearing death, surrendered to the Romans.
Thanks to this, Josephus lived on for many years, writing his account of the war responsible for coins like this shekel.