1551

ANCIENT JUDAEA, Jerusalem, AR shekel, First Jewish War, 66-70 AD, dated year 3 (68/9 AD), very rare,

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
ANCIENT JUDAEA, Jerusalem, AR shekel, First Jewish War, 66-70 AD, dated year 3 (68/9 AD), very rare,
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ANCIENT JUDAEA, Jerusalem, AR shekel, First Jewish War, 66-70 AD, dated year 3 (68/9 AD), very rare, NGC AU Star, strike 5/5, surface 5/5, ex-Weissberg. Meshorer-202a; Hendin-6390. 14.28 grams. Omer cup, the Temple vessel representing the biblical grain measure used for the Passover barley offering / Sprig of three pomegranates, a traditional Jewish symbol of abundance and Temple association. Exceptional strike and surface, impeccable toning.

Struck during the First Jewish War against Rome, this silver shekel was produced after decades of mounting tensions between the Roman authorities and the population of Judaea. The immediate spark came in 66 AD, when the procurator Gessius Florus seized 16 talents of silver from the treasury of the Jerusalem Temple. Protests by the citizens were met with brutal repression and more than 3,000 Jews were killed. The revolt quickly spread across the city and countryside. Roman forces were expelled from Jerusalem, and an attempt by the Syrian legate to suppress the rebellion resulted in the destruction of Legio XII Fulminata. With Jerusalem briefly freed from Roman control, the Temple authorities began striking their own silver coinage, the first sovereign Jewish silver issues.

The mint was likely located within the Temple complex, using the large stockpiles of Tyrian shekels held in the treasury for their silver. Production was carefully controlled for weight, fineness, and inscriptions. The designs employ traditional Jewish symbols and political slogans such as “For the Freedom of Jerusalem” and “For the Redemption of Zion,” demonstrating the leaders’ clear use of coinage as a tool of national and religious messaging during the revolt. Coins were dated by year of the uprising, and this example belongs to Year 3 (68 to 69 AD), struck during the middle phase of the conflict when the rebel administration still maintained effective control of Jerusalem and the Temple mint.

A well-struck example, nicely centered with bold devices in high relief and strong definition throughout. Attractive light cabinet toning over surfaces that retain traces of original luster in the fields, giving the coin pleasing overall eye-appeal.

About the pedigree: Rabbi Victor Howard Weissberg was an American rabbi and collector known in numismatic circles for assembling an important collection of ancient coins, particularly those connected with Judaea and the Jewish world of antiquity. He served as a rabbi in the Chicago area and was deeply involved in Jewish cultural life. Along with his wife Tamar, he traveled widely, collected Jewish art, and pursued numismatics as a major scholarly interest.

Featured on back cover of printed catalog. From the Rabbi Victor H. Weissberg and Tamar Weissberg Collection.
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