★ Rare Judaean issue ★

JUDAEA, Caesarea Maritima: Hadrian (117-138 AD), AE12. 2.72g, 12mm.
Obv: IMP TR HADRIANO CA, laureate head right.
Rev: CIFAC, lion walking right, snake above.
SNG ANS 774; BMC 76.
A decent example of this rare type.

The reverse legend stands for C[OLONIA] P[RIMA] F[LAVIA] A[VGVSTA] F[ELIX] C[AESARENSIS]. Founded by Herod the Great, the Romans made Caesarea Maritima the capital of the province of Judaea; it was elevated to the status of Colonia by Vespasian. This coin was issued around the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt under Hadrian. After the revolt's suppression, Hadrian instituted a number of repressive measures, including renaming the province to Syria Palaestina, prohibiting Torah law and the Jewish calendar, and burning sacred books.