JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.32 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 I 163 (same dies). Hendin 6449. Meshorer, AJC, 66a (same dies). Mildenberg 85 (O15/R52). Samel 2463 (same obverse die). Shoshana I 20398 (same dies). Sofaer 118 (same obverse die). Fresh and with lovely iridescent toning. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian (?). Minor areas of weakness and with traces of overstriking, otherwise, extremely fine.



On the reverse of this zuz, the laureate head of a Roman emperor is clearly visible. The rounded shape of the head and the thick neck suggest that the undertype is most likely a coin of Vespasian, although Hadrian is also a possibility.