Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Æ Large Bronze (20.88 g), 132-135 CE. Year 1 (132/3 CE). 'Simon, Prince of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath. Reverse: 'Year one of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), amphora with two handles. Hendin 1376; Mildenberg 2 (O1/R2), 24 cited ; TJC 220b. Very Rare. Uniform pale green patina, well centered. Very Fine. Value $4,000 - UP
The rarest of all Bar Kochba denominations is known by the Arabic nickname "Abu Jara," meaning "father of the jar." The reverse features an amphora, which Romanoff concludes "was the vessel of oil which nourished the flames of the Temple Menorah." This variety of the large bronze denomination of the first year (132/3 CE) of the Bar Kokhba War (132-135 CE) is notable for its obverse paleo-Hebrew legend which does not name Jerusalem within the wreath anymore, but rather Simon [bar Kokhba] as nasi (president) of Israel. Although nasi is sometimes translated as "prince" rather than "president," it almost certainly refers to Simon bar Kokhba's role as the leader of the Great Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious assembly that originally held court in the Jerusalem Temple before its destruction). The title of nasi was also held by the Hasmonaean High Priest John Hyrcanus I (134-104 BC), who engineered full autonomy for Judaea and who also struck coins featuring a wreathed legend on the obverse.
Ex Mel Wacks Collection. Purchased by the consignor from Hesperia Art, October 1967.