JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.96 g, 12 h), regular coinage. Uncertain mint, Year 2 = 133/4 CE. 𐤔𐤌𐤏 (‘Šimʿon’, abbreviated, in Paleo-Hebrew) within a wreath composed of branches and eight almonds, tied with a medallion at the top and tendrils at the bottom. Rev. 𐤔𐤁 𐤋𐤇𐤓 𐤉𐤔𐤓𐤀𐤋 ('Year 2 of the Freedom of Israel' in Paleo-Hebrew) Palm frond curving to left. Bromberg II 447 (same dies). Hendin 6419 (same dies). Meshorer, AJC, 28 (same dies). Mildenberg 17 (O3/R12). Samel 2411 (same dies). Shoshana I 20285 (same dies). Sofaer 49 (same obverse die). Lightly toned and perfectly centered on a broad flan. Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan. Minor areas of weakness and with traces of overstriking on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.



On the reverse, the portrait of Trajan is clearly visible. The letters [...]ΡΑΙ[...] above it, clearly belonging to the Greek form of the emperor’s name, ΤΡΑΙΑΝ..., show that the undertype cannot be a denarius with a Latin legend, but must instead be a Bostran drachm.