JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Sela = Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.92 g, 12 h), regular coinage. Uncertain mint, Year 2 = 133/4 CE. 𐤔𐤌𐤏𐤅𐤍 (‘Šimʿon’ in Paleo-Hebrew) Tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem with fluted columns; within, the Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs; above, rosette. Rev. 𐤔𐤁 𐤋𐤇𐤓 𐤉𐤔𐤓𐤀𐤋 ('Year 2 of the Freedom of Israel' in Paleo-Hebrew) Lulav with three projecting tips; to left, etrog. Bromberg I 93 (same dies). Hendin 6417. Meshorer, AJC, 16 (same dies). Mildenberg 34 (O8/R24). Samel 2404 (same obverse die). Shoshana I 20273 (same dies). Sofaer 35. Lustrous and beautifully toned, an exceptional piece. Very light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, virtually as struck.



In Year 2, unlike in Year 1, Simon’s name also appears on the silver coinage, as on this magnificent tetradrachm, or sela. Since we do not know who the enigmatic Eleazar named on the coins of Year 1 was (cf. lot 240 above), the significance of this change remains unclear. The coins leave no doubt, however, as to Simon’s pre-eminence: from this point onward, he is presented as the sole issuing authority on the rebel coinage.