JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.73 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) One-handled jug with fluted body to right; to right, palm frond. Bromberg II 471 (same dies). Hendin 6445 (same dies). Meshorer, AJC, 66b (same obverse die). Mildenberg 72.2 (this coin, O14/R44). Samel 2462 (same obverse die). Shoshana I 20381 (same dies). Sofaer 115 (same obverse die). Beautifully toned. Overstruck on a drachm of Trajan from Bostra. Some scratches, otherwise, very fine.



Parts of the legend of the Trajanic undertype are still discernible on the reverse from 8 to 12 o’clock; the faint inscription [...] CЄB ΓЄPM ΔA[...] can be read. The overstruck coin can thus be identified as a drachm of Trajan, probably from Bostra (RPC III 4073).