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From common issues to extreme rarities, every ancient coin has its own unique history, to be discovered by those so inclined. For a fascinating case study, consider this Judaean zuz defiantly overstruck upon a Roman denarius.
The first strike occurred as the Empire reached its zenith. Since Augustus’ reign, Rome had expanded her influence, for example promoted client kingdoms towards eventual transition into provinces. This strategy generally proved effective, however, the client kingdom of Judaea posed a particular complication. Judaea’s monotheism was in direct opposition to Rome’s tolerance for all deities, i.e., paganism. In 66 AD, the situation erupted into a Jewish-Roman war that lasted several bloody years. The Romans finally regained control at enormous cost, gaining commensurately enormous riches, particularly after the infamous sack of Jerusalem’s Temple.
Despite their defeat, the tenacious Judaeans eventually rebounded, and resumed their resistance of Rome’ rule. Over the next several decades, violence periodically waxed and waned. The situation reached a crisis in 130 AD when visiting Emperor Hadrian initiated plans for Jerusalem’s makeover. The locals disapproved the plans, in particular the mandate to rename the city as Aelia Capitolina (after the Emperor's nomen). Even more controversial, the new Temple would be dedicated to Jupiter. For the feverishly devout Judaeans, the idea of their most holy building complex being converted for pagan celebrations was offensive, to say the least. Other factors exacerbated the situation. For instance, many Jews protested Hadrian’s ban on circumcision (the Emperor considered it a barbaric mutilation).
Rallying opposition against Hadrian was Judaean general Simeon bar Kosevah, also known as Simon Bar Kokhba, referencing the prophesized Son of the Star, i. e., the star of Jacob. He gained support from those who viewed him as the messiah; others he reportedly recruited by coercion. In any case, the ferocious rebels soon established their own independent state.
Jerusalem advertised its new self-governance on coins. Indeed, Bar Kokhba’s issues rank among the ancient world’s most intriguing and historically significant. Many collectors appropriately treasure such coins as important religious relics. They were produced by overstriking new designs upon existing coinage, for example Roman provincial bronzes or silver denarii such as the current one. Silver coins thusly overstruck were called zuz, valued at four to the Shekel.
The obverse of this particularly well–preserved zuz proudly proclaims the Hebrew inscription SIMON within a wreath of thin olive branches. Unlike many other zuz, this one is not dated, although evidence places it from year three of the conflict, 134-135 AD. The reverse design includes a fluted jug and another palm branch, accompanied by the Hebrew inscription representing “For the freedom of Jerusalem.” Although the coin was relatively well struck, one can clearly discern some details of the underlying denarius, notably the Latin inscription IMP TRAIANO AVG, denoting imperator Augustus Trajan. Trajan ruled over the Roman Empire from 98-117 AD, and managed to stretch the realm to the greatest extent even seen. Such melding of Trajan denarius and Bar Kokhba zuz on the same flan provides a poignant, if mind-boggling, composition. It is also interesting that Bar Kokhba’s patriotic inscriptions mimicked the Romans’ use of coinage as propaganda for raising political and military support.
Despite their preparation and determination, Bar Kokhba and his followers did not have sufficient support to outlast Emperor Hadrian, who mobilized portions of almost half of Rome’s legions to the area. Like the previous Jewish-Roman war six decades earlier, Bar Kokhba’s war proved horrific. Hadrian gradually gained the advantage by cutting off and laying siege to the rebels’ population centers one-by-one. The effort proved laborious since the Judaeans were literally dug in, conducting ambushes from an extensive interconnected system of hidden caves and tunnels.
The devastating conflict lasted until the summer of 135 AD. The final battle took place in Betar, a stronghold where Bar Kokhba and his retreating armies withdrew and consolidated. Even more Roman forces were brought to bear, and eventually managed to eliminate Bar Kokhba, his leadership team, and the majority of his forces. Perhaps hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed, either in battle or from famine and disease triggered by adverse living conditions. The Romans also suffered heavy casualties, with at least two entire legions destroyed. Apprising the Senate of the situation, Emperor Hadrian was so battle-weary that he omitted the customary greeting “I and my army are well.”
In the wake of Bar Kokhba’s war, Judaean lands were severely depopulated; some scholars describe the situation as genocide and the beginning of the diaspora. Nonetheless, Hadrian, concerned the Jews might rebound and revolt yet again, enacted several proclamations to stamp out any residual vestiges of Judaean nationalism. Jewish laws and customs were prohibited. Not only Jerusalem, but also the entire region was renamed: Judaea became Syria Palaestina. Jews were forbidden to enter Aelia Capitolina, except to attend the Tisha B'Av (ninth of Av), the annual fasting day to commemorate disasters in Jewish history such as the destruction of the first and second Jewish Temple. Such prohibitions applied to all Jews, even those who never followed Bar Kokhba as their messiah, for example those who placed their faith in Jesus of Nazareth. This latter group emerged over the course of the war. Eventually, Christianity evolved into its own distinct religion that centuries later would transform the Empire.
Only in modern times has Jerusalem and its realm re-emerged as a nexus of Jewish religious, cultural, and political life.
Additional Reading: “NGC ANCIENTS: THE COINAGE OF BAR KOKHBA,” J Illingworth, NGC Ancients on 12/13/2011.
Coin Details: JUDAEA, Kokhba War, 132-135 AD, AR Zuz, 18mm, 2.98 g, undated (attributed to year 3 = 134/5 AD), NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Hebrew inscription of five letters (Simon) in two lines, within a wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, medallion at top, tendrils at bottom, there are a pair of dots, one inside and one outside, between each section (the order of the letters in the second line has changed), Reverse: Fluted jug, handle at left, palm branch; Hebrew around (For the freedom of Jerusalem), References: Hendin 726; AJC II, 275, 66; Mildenberg 239, 133; Struck over Trajan denarius with clear visible traces of undertype; ex-Thaler Universe’s “Select Ancients” collection that was honored as NGC’s 2015 Best Ancient Custom Set.