Judaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Sela (14.18 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew), tetrastyle façade of the Temple of Jerusalem; show bread table or Ark of the Covenant in chest form with semicircular lid and short legs, seen from a narrow side; above façade, star. Reverse: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), lulav with etrog at left. Hendin 1411; Mildenberg 87 (O12/R67; this coin #22); TJC 267. Reverse a trifle off-center. Attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Value $3,500 - UP
The overstruck silver tetradrachms (called "sela" in the Mishnah) are among the most religiously significant coins issued by the ancient Jews, since the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple is depicted, along with the Ark - that had held the two tables of the Ten Commandments in Solomon's time. Beginning in the second year and continuing into the final year, a star appeared above the Temple on many coins, likely alluding to Bar Kochba's nickname "Son of the Star."
Ex Mel Wacks Collection; Ex Hess-Leu 31 (7 December 1966), 541.