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306
Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.16 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE).
‘Simon’ (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion
at top and tendrils at bottom. Rev. ‘For the freedom of Jerusalem’ (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle
on left; in right field, willow branch. Hendin 1418; Mildenberg 79 (O14/R51); TJC 283b. Overstruck on
a denarius of Trajan. Toned. Removed from an NGC slab where graded Ch VF;
Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5.
$500
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
307
Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.34 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE).
‘Simna’ (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion
between two pairs of dots at top and tendrils at bottom. Rev. ‘For the freedom of Jerusalem’ (Paleo-He-
brew), upright palm branch. Hendin 1420; Mildenberg 93 (O15/R62); TJC 279a. Very Rare - only four
specimens cited by Mildenberg. Virtually as struck. Removed from an NGC slab where graded AU; Strike:
3/5, Surface: 4/5. Our grade Extremely Fine.
$600
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
The odd arrangement of the paleo-Hebrew legend on the obverse of this undated zuz attributed to the third year of the Bar
Kokhba War makes the name of rebel leader, Simon [bar Kokhba], read as Simna. This and other errors in the legends that
occur on Bar Kokhba issues may imply that some (many?) engravers were merely copying the letters and may not have had the
ability to actually read and understand them.