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Jewish Coins :
Bar Kochba Revolt : Bronze Coin Minted During the Bar Kochba Revolt
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Bronze Coin Minted During the Bar Kochba Revolt - C.456
Origin: Judean Hills, Israel
Circa: 132
AD
to 135
AD
Collection: Numismatics
Medium: Bronze
Additional Information: SOLD
Location: United States
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| Description |
Obverse: Vine Leaf Encircled by the
Inscription: “For the Freedom of Israel”
Reverse: Palm Tree with Seven Branches
with Inscription: “Simon”
After the destruction of the Temple, the
Jewish High Priesthood lost its center
and authority. But the dream of
rebuilding the Temple still smoldered.
Sixty-two years after the Temple
perished in flames, the Roman Emperor
Hadrian proposed to build a new city on
the site of Jerusalem, including a
magnificent new temple dedicated to
Jupiter on the site of the former Jewish
temple. Hadrian's plans fanned this
dream back to flame, and rebellion
flared up. Simon Bar Kochba, a Jewish
leader of massive physical strength
(whom many believed to be the Messiah),
rallied the Jews. Caught by surprise,
the Roman forces in the region were
defeated. Jerusalem and its surrounding
area were once again under control of
the Jews. A glorious series of coinage
was minted by the Jews, containing
legends proclaiming the "Freedom of
Israel". These coins were usually struck
over the top of an existing coin, and
you can often make out the remnants of
the old design under the new. But the
concentrated might of the Romans was
brought to bear on the region, and it
became clear that Rome would eventually
prevail. The rebellion was ultimately
crushed, and Simon Bar Kochba was
captured by the Romans, who executed him
shortly thereafter.
How many hands have touched a coin in
your pocket or your purse? What eras and
lands have the coin traversed on its
journey into our possession? As we reach
into our pockets to pull out some
change, we rarely hesitate to think of
who touched the coin before us, or where
the coin will venture to after us. More
than money, coins are a symbol of the
state that struck them, of a specific
time and place, whether contemporary
currencies or artifacts of long
forgotten empires. This stunning hand-
struck coin reveals an expertise of
craftsmanship and intricate sculptural
details that are often lacking in
contemporary machine-made currencies.
The struggle of the Jewish people to
rule their homeland, as represented by
this coin, has finally come to an end in
modern times. This coin reconnects us
with the past, with those who fought and
struggled for their freedom against an
oppressive empire almost two thousand
year ago.
- (C.456)
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