BAR KOKHBA REVOLT SILVER ZUZ – UNDATED YEAR 3 ISSUE EX DAVID HENDIN AND DOUBLE PUBLISHED IN MILDENBERG AND HENDIN’S 1976 GUIDE TO ANCIENT JEWISH COINS – AU NGC GRADED JUDAEA COIN (Inv. 19394)

$2,950.00

19394. JUDAEA. BAR KOKHBA REVOLT, 132–135 CE.
Silver zuz, 2.89 g, 20 mm. Undated issue of year 3 (134/5 CE).
Obv. [SIMON], grape bunch hanging from vine. Rev. [FOR THE FREEDOM OF JERUSALEM], lyre.
Mildenberg 204 (O24/R132, 204.37 “D. Hendin coll., 2.85 g”); Hendin 6th edition, 6462.
Published: David Hendin, Guide to Ancient Jewish Coins (first edition, 1976), 172 (PLATE COIN).
Ex Zuzim Inc, formerly in the VJM Collection and purchased from David Hendin in 1976 (according to small tag included).
NGC graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5, “overstruck.” Some traces of the undertype and its legend are visible on the obverse. The information that accompanies the coin indicates that it was acquired from David Hendin in 1976 for $ 1900 and cites the Mildenberg reference specifically as 204.37. The somewhat low weight matches almost exactly Mildenberg no. 204.37. Given that 204.37 belonged to David Hendin, and its low weight matches almost exactly that of the present piece, it is certain this is the same coin published in Mildenberg.  The small tag also states that this is “H-172 PLATE COIN,” and David Hendin has confirmed that this piece was indeed used as such for the FIRST edition of the book.  It was subsequently changed with another specimen when the second edition was published.  Hendin’s monumental work is currently in it’s 6th edition. After the first edition the name was changed to “Guide to Biblical Coins” as its scope had greatly expanded.