JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.19 g, 12 h), regular coinage. Uncertain mint. Undated, but attributed to Year 3 = 134/5 CE. 𐤔𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤅 ('Šimna' (sic!) 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. 𐤋𐤇𐤓𐤅𐤕 𐤉𐤓𐤅𐤔𐤋𐤌 ('For the Freedom of Jerusalem' in Paleo-Hebrew) Two upright trumpets. Bromberg I 157 (same dies). Hendin 6444 (same dies). Meshorer, AJC, 59b (same dies). Mildenberg 67 (O14/R39). Samel 2461 (same dies). Shoshana I 20379 (same dies). Sofaer 136 (same dies). Lightly toned. Overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. Minor areas of weakness and with traces of overstriking on the obverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.



This zuz was overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. On the obverse, when rotated 210°, the outline of Trajan’s head can still be discerned, together with traces of the original coin’s characteristically long legend along the beaded border. On the reverse, faint outlines of a standing figure are visible, although its identity can no longer be determined.