Judea (Ancient)
Jewish War. 60-70 CE. AE Half Shekel (26 mm, 15.22g). Jerusalem mint. Dated year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four, half' (Shekel) in Hebrew, two lulav branches flanking ethrog. Reverse: ''To the redemption of Zion' (in Hebrew), palm tree with two bunches of dates, flanked by baskets with dates. Hendin 1367; MCP FJR 13, dies O1/R- (unlisted rev. die); Meshorer 211; Bromberg 74 (same obv. die); Soshana I 20214-5; Sofaer 39; Spaer 179-80. Medallic flan. Earthen dark green-brown patina, minor flan flaw on obverse. Excellent fields. Very rare, and among the finest examples known. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $10,000
The introduction of large bronze denominations in the final year (April 69-March 70 CE) of the Jewish War illustrates the desperate state of the Jewish rebels as they struggled to defend Jerusalem against the Roman forces led by Titus and against the violent rifts in the rebel leadership. Silver denominations from this disastrous year are very rare, suggesting that silver had become more difficult to obtain in the Holy City. Josephus even provides us with the scene of inhabitants so desperate that they took to swallowing their silver and gold. These large bronzes must have filled in the gaps in the rebel currency system as the horrific end of the war loomed close; indeed, they carry legends identifying them as a "half," presumably indicating a fiduciary token standing in for a proper silver ½ shekel.

By the fourth year of the Jewish War (69/70 CE), the Romans had gained the upper hand and the Jews were becoming desperate. The shortage of precious silver metal caused a huge drop in the number of silver shekels available for the temple tax. This resulted in what numismatists have called the world's first series of "siege coins." Of all the bronze coins of the Jewish War, the large half-shekels are by far the rarest and most desired. We estimate they are less than 30 or so surviving specimens in all grades, this being among the finest to survive.
From the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn, NY; Ex CNG 111, Lot 383 (realized $19,200).