Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze (6.90 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Eleazar the priest' (Paleo-Hebrew), seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf. Hendin 6409; Mildenberg 150 (O1/R4); TJC 224. Light olive and brown patina. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $500 - UP
The small bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War is typologically connected to the middle bronze palm tree denominations. The palm tree emblem of Judaea appears again on the obverse, but on the reverse the vine leaf of the middle bronze denomination is replaced by a grape bunch. In contrast to the medium bronze denominations, the small denomination does not name Simon bar Kokhba, but Eleazar the priest.
From the Randolph Family Collection.