JUDAEA, Bar Kokhba War. 132-136 CE. Zuz = Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.22 g, 11 h), regular coinage. Uncertain mint. Undated, but attributed to Year 3 = 134/5 CE. 𐤔𐤌𐤏𐤅𐤍 ('Šimʿon' 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) Three-stringed kithara-lyre. Bromberg I 171 (same dies). Hendin 6456 (same reverse die). Meshorer, AJC, 55c (same reverse die). Mildenberg 112 (O17/R67). Samel 2471-2472 (same dies). Shoshana I 20427 (same dies). Sofaer 125. Beautifully toned. Overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. Traces of overstriking, otherwise, extremely fine.



This zuz was evidently overstruck on a denarius of Trajan. His portrait and traces of the legend are visible on the reverse, while the inscription S P Q R can still be read on the obverse between 3 and 6 o’clock.