Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (14.16 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, Year 3 (68/9 CE). 'Shekel of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, 'year 3'. Reverse: 'Jerusalem [the] holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1361. Deutsch 61. Arguably struck from the most beautiful dies of all the shekels. Boldly struck on excellent metal with attractive light multi-color toning. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $5,000 - UP
From the S. Moussaieff Collection.
The third year of the Jewish War saw some slight respite from the Roman advance as the death of Nero plunged the Roman Empire into a civil war into which Vespasian was drawn. However, violence in Jerusalem, reached new heights as the Zealot leaders of the crushed northern revolt waged their own civil war against Ananus ben Ananus, the leader of the more moderate priestly authorities. This factional conflict resulted in an ignominious siege of Jerusalem by the Zealots and the slaughter of Ananus and his adherents. Jerussalem the holy, as it is described on the shekels, had been defiled by the blood of its own people before ever the Romans entered the city.