JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.82 g, 6 h), regular coinage. Uncertain mint. Hybrid issue, dually dated Year 1 = 132/3 and Year 2 = 133/4 CE. 𐤔𐤍𐤕 𐤀𐤇𐤕 𐤋𐤂𐤀𐤋𐤕 𐤉𐤔𐤓𐤀𐤋 ('Year 1 of the Redemption of Israel' in Paleo-Hebrew) Grape bunch on vine with small leaf to left. Rev. 𐤔𐤁 𐤋𐤇𐤓 𐤉𐤔𐤓𐤀𐤋 ('Year 2 of the Freedom of Israel' in Paleo-Hebrew) Palm frond curving to left. Bromberg I 130 (same dies). Hendin 6411 (same dies). Meshorer, AJC, 20 (same dies). Mildenberg 10.7 (this coin, O2/R8). Samel 2397 (same dies). Shoshana I 20245 (same dies). Sofaer -. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Traces of overstriking, otherwise, extremely fine.



When the obverse of this coin is rotated 180°, the head of Trajan becomes visible. Unfortunately, the legend is illegible, so it remains uncertain whether the coin was overstruck on a denarius or a drachm. Of particular interest is the very rare combination of a Year 1 zuz obverse with a new reverse die dating to Year 2, suggesting that the coin was struck early in the second year.