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Message:: [QUOTE="John Anthony, post: 2140719, member: 42773"]A very nice coin, spork. The significance of this type is that it represents a break in the Roman Provincial prutoh. These coins have inscriptions in Paleo-Hebrew script that give the date and proclaim, "Freedom of Zion," a legend you certainly wouldn't find on a Roman coin. Here is my example - it is the scarcer Year Three variety... First Jewish War, AD 66-70 AE Prutah, 17mm, 3g, 6h; Jerusalem, AD 68/9.Obv.: שנת שלוש (Year Three); Amphora with broad, fringed rim and two handles.Rev.: חרות ציונ (Freedom of Zion); Grape leaf on vine.Reference: Hendin 1363. [ATTACH=full]409352[/ATTACH] On most centered examples, you can discern the majority of the inscriptions, although some letters will be cut off. These were struck on smaller flans than their Roman Provincial counterparts. The obverse is read counter-clockwise from 5 o'clock, the reverse is read counter-clockwise from 11. However, on some some varieties the inscriptions start in different places. I made this guide to the lettering, to facilitate reading the inscriptions. If you know what you're looking for, it's easier to tell the difference between letters and flan anomalies. On most examples, a few of the letters will be clear, others you will have to search for... [ATTACH=full]409353[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]