Hi everyone, So, my brother sold off a bunch of his old video games and consoles a few weeks ago, giving him some extra coin $$. He participated in his first CNG auction yesterday and won! Here's his new pick up: JUDAEA, Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. AR Zuz – Denarius (19mm, 2.83 g, 7h). Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE). “Simon,” bunch of grapes / “For the freedom of Jerusalem,” palm branch. Mildenburg 149 (O11/R102); Meshorer 281; Hendin 1430. VF, toned, some roughness. I'm pretty jealous! The other ones I've seen are all over $1000. He got this one for almost half of that. Feel free to show any CNG wins, Bar Kochba coins or any random ancient because ancient coins are cool! Erin
Wow, John-D => your brother scored a cool coin!! (congrats to both of you, for you dudes seem to be collecting "together") ... very neat family passion (I'm jealous) => yah, usually the ol' religious Judaea coins go for big-money (kinda like the 12 Caesar coins) ... so I tend to stay away from those coin-targets "but" because your crafty-bro was able to score this baby under its initial target, that makes it seem yummy-yummy (good for you guys) Cheers
Very nice coin. Does he know about them being overstruck on denarii? If he is interested in the series, he should get David Hendins book, Guide to Biblical Coins.
I'm green with envy too!!! That's a great example and one I'd LOVE to have. I have a prutah I forgot I purchased of the 2nd Jewish revolt (second coin).... and a modest provincial bronze of the Judea Capta type dating back to Vespasian.
I'm very much of the opinion that this is overstruck but I can't ID it. That would drive me crazy. Perhaps the easy ones sell for more because of people who agree with me. I am one of those weirdos who believes it is bad luck to post wins before they arrive in hand. I lose enough to mail and dealer errors (although never to a CNG coin, they have shown signs of professionalism since I started buying from a seller named Victor England 29 years ago). I only won one coin this time and not the one I really wanted (shame on you who outbid me). Next week, I hope.
Thanks everybody! I had to man the auction while he was at work. Most of my work is done online (I research prices for a charity shop), so it was no big deal for me to watch it. But, oh boy, was I ever nervous. I was worried about a last minute bidding war, ebay style, but it never happened. I told my brother that we are "co-owners." It's been great sharing a hobby with my brother. We drove each other nuts growing up and still do (we both live with my parents). I was hesitant about posting the coin right away, Doug. But, I was really excited. Ken: I have the Guide to Biblical Coins by David Hendin and that's where he saw the Bar Kochba coins. We also saw Bar Kochba featured on Museum Secrets. He's always wanted an oversturck coin and figured this would be a really cool one to have. I'd love to figure out the denarius it's struck on, but I think that will be impossible. Erin
Awesome coins, Mike! I'll be on the hunt for one of those Jewish Revolt coins - more in my price range. Erin
