118 / 194
292
Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.07 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). ‘Simon’, bunch of grapes
with leaf and tendril. Rev. ‘Year two of the freedom of Israel’ (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three
strings. Hendin 1396; Mildenberg 47 (O8/R27); TJC 242. A magnificent example with underlying luster.
Removed from an NGC slab where graded MS; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5.
$1,000
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
The zuz of the second year of the Bar Kokhba War depict the kinnor, a lyre-like instrument played during wor-
ship in the Jerusalem Temple before its destruction. Indeed, the Mishna tells us that the minimum number of kin-
norim to be played in the Temple was nine, but there was no maximum limit. This musical allusion to the reli-
gious services in the Temple is in keeping with the symbolic program of the Bar Kokhba War coinage, which
depicts the façade of the Temple as well as other objects associated with religious observances and Jewish festivals.
293
Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.00 g), 132-135 CE. Year 2 (133/4 CE). ‘Simon’, bunch of grapes
with leaf and tendril. Rev. ‘Year two of the freedom of Israel’ (Paleo-Hebrew), elongated lyre with three
strings. Hendin 1396; Mildenberg 47 (O8/R27); TJC 242. Overstruck on a Trajan drachm with parts of
the portrait and reverse legend visible. Removed from an NGC slab where graded Ch XF;
Strike: 3/5, Surface: 3/5.
$750
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.