I mentioned in a previous post... ...that I wouldn't be purchasing any Bar Kochba coins because the prices sellers were asking were exorbitant. Anyway, I'm eating those words tonight because I couldn't resist these and the prices were reasonable. I'll let them stay in their plastic condos for now but if I decide to perform an exorcism to free them from their acrylic torment, I'll be sure to document it for all to see.
wow!, beauties for sure Deacon Ray! I wondered when you would get a Bar Kochba for your collection. Never figured to ask you about it because of the costs. If any one is interested it is the Jewish New Year tonight! L'Shana Tovah! Year 5779
Glad you got a coupe of these awesome Bar Kokhba Revolt bronzes. Your collection certainly deserves them. If you've never heard any of the lectures of Henry Abramson I think you'd like them much. Here is his on Simon bar Kokhba:
Ahah! Thank you for that information, Mike! That may have been the reason for my sudden desire to seek these out and add them to my collection. Perhaps it was the result of a subliminal urge to honor the Jewish New Year.
Thank you for sharing this excellent lecture video, @dadams ! Fascinating, indeed! It's the most interesting and concise that I've seen
Thanks Dadams for the video. Here also is a link to an historical novel that covers a lot of details about the revolt and the person of Shimon B'K as well as Akiva's Roman heritage and martyrdom:http://www.jewishusedbooks.com/prodview.asp?idProduct=89428 Also there is relevant Talmudic reference(not in the Akiva book) to A.Pius as the Caesar who reversed Hadrian's harsh edicts against the Jews. Included is a story of how two Rabbinic sages of the the tribe of Judah(symbol is the lion) that visited A.Pius, and healed his daughter thus making the emperor lift the edicts against the Jews so they could practice their religion. This may be why his only surviving daughter of the two daughters, Faustina Jr. began using the reverse of her coinage(see my profile image) with the two guardian lions at the throne of the Kybele. My own personal speculation but it is incredible to think that a famous Roman sestertius may be related to Talmudic legend. Two very different lines of ancient veiled history being brought together with a COIN! Only an ancient coin nerd could think of that.
Great coins @Deacon Ray - you must be very proud. I would be. Now if I could just afford one of those Bar Kochba shekels with the temple on it...
or even a little ZUZ! Not sure if the the zuzim have the temple, will have to check. Here is a Zuz with the temple trumpets!
Wowzers! I knew it was a matter of time before you'd be posting one of there, Deacon Ray. I'd like to get the small denomination some day. My bro has a Zuz that's really sweet. I just wish that the person filing the denarius down had left a bit of detail so we id the undertype. This was his only CNG win. I remember it well. It was a Wednesday and he was working. I was at the store and had access to the laptop. So, he left it in my hands to do the bidding for him. Talk about stressful! I told him that we actually share it because he wouldn't have won it without me. Erin
Thank you, Erin! Yours is beautiful and it surely found it's way to your family's caring hands as a result of your brave and clever actions. I'm glad I made the purchase and I feel a sense of relief. The coins represent an important period of Judaean history though the events occurred post quo Christus est mortuus I need to add, @Johndakerftw Erin, that you have inspired me greatly during my years here on the forum! I know that you're one who has experienced that awesome feeling when you hold an ancient Judaean coin in your hand and think about who may have held it, carried it, and used it 2000 years ago
Deacon Ray, those are a couple of handsome coins, especially the small bronze. In your description you say "two bunches of dates", but the slabs identifies them as "grape cluster". Who is correct?
Thanks for your question, @Al Kowsky ! I think both are correct and the reason the caption on my poster is somewhat different from the NGC capsule is because I took it from the great Ancient Coin Search website at: www.acsearch.info My purpose was to provide a description that was slightly different from the capsule label. Now I'm not sure if this ACS description applies to this particular coin Forget all that I just said, I think you're right @Al Kowsky . Thanks!