New Biblical Coin and a Couple of Questions

Aethelred

I just added the following coin to my collection and wanted to show it off just a bit. This coin was issued during the Bar Kokhba Revolt against Rome during the reign of Hadrian and was the last coin issued by the nation of Israel until 1948!

See my questions below the photos....





Question 1. All of the coins issued during the Bar Kokhba Revolt were overstruck on existing Greek or Roman coins. The Zuz coins (like this one) were all overstruck on either Roman Denarii or Greek Drachma. Can anyone tell from these photos what the host coin is?

Question 2. Should I crack this coin out of it's plastic tomb?

Thank you!

ajaan

Answer 2: If you plan on having this coin be part of your estate, crack it out. If you ever plan on selling it before that time, keep it as is.

P.S. Nice coin.

Aethelred

Thanks Don, I think this one will stay in my collection long term and ALL of my other ancient coins are raw like God intended.

ajaan

If that's the case, crack that bad boy out.

Zohar

That is such a wonderful piece with much historical significance. I once contemplated getting into this. I stopped by Henedin's table at the NY show and truly enjoyed his showcase.

I ended up settling for the modern Israeli (early state) coin set - see the resemblance?

Aethelred

He is far and away my favorite numismatic author!

EVillageProwler

This is one of the reasons I stopped doing light-side. I love all this cool historical stuff.

Aethelred

<< <i>This is one of the reasons I stopped doing light-side. I love all this cool historical stuff. >>



US coins are all well and good, but how can something from the 1800s compare with something 1800 years or more old?

Aethelred

Neat coin Zohar, it would be cool to find a modern example for as many ancient coins from Israel as possible.

Zohar

This is why I collected the early statehood pieces LINKY

Aethelred

Nice!

STLNATS

Lovely, really well struck coin. Don't see much of an undertype at all. Kinda fun seeing evidence of the host coin on these, but that can be distracting from the design.

Except for a few Vatican gold and German proofs, which came that way, none of my coins or currency are slabbed. The one advantage I see is that it does give a bit more comfort to authenticity as counterfeits become increasingly common, but its not absolute by any means and there's so much more to consider with ancients than the mere technical grade. As Ajaan said if you're keeping it long term free that baby from its plastic tomb.

Congrats on a great pickup!

joeykoins

<< <i>

<< <i>This is one of the reasons I stopped doing light-side. I love all this cool historical stuff. >>



US coins are all well and good, but how can something from the 1800s compare with something 1800 years or more old? >>

Yes,I agree, the older the better! The oldest coin I have is a Great Britain 2 Pence 1792.and I thought mine was old. All these Ancient coins are magnificent,dazzling and Beauuutiful! Nice photo taking,I might add,also.

worldcoinguy

Beautiful piece Aethelred - we need to see more pieces like that on this forum. The reverse is incredibly bold.

MilkmanDan

What a fantastic piece, thanks for sharing.

marcmoish

yup nice piece ...thanks for sharing indeed....

Aethelred

<< <i> Nice photo taking,I might add,also. >>



Thank you, but i hope to do better one i crack it.

SmEagle1795

<< <i>This is one of the reasons I stopped doing light-side. I love all this cool historical stuff. >>



I completely agree. My collection has changed dramatically over the last year. I still have some US coins but the percentage of my collection which they make up is shrinking. Darkside is the place to be!

Beautiful coin!

lordmarcovan

I love it. Even I, who normally has a hard time loving Judaean coins, even though I've always found their history fascinating. That one combines the drama of history AND superb eye appeal. WTG!

You obviously posted it when I was in Yeti mode.

I don't think you should crack it. I know most of your collection is raw but I suggest transitioning from your small Dansco binders to a standard 3-ring zipper binder and 20-pocket pages. Then you can add a slab page to go in the same binder (I have one if you want). And sheet protectors for your meticulous writeups and maps and such.



But don't waste that plastic. If it stays in the plastic and by some bizarre chance you tired of it, that coin could come live with me, assuming I was able to afford it. That's a Judaean even I would keep and cherish.

Aethelred

<< <i>
I don't think you should crack it. >>



Too late, the deed has been done!

lordmarcovan

Ah, well. Considering the rest of your collection, I suppose that made a kind of sense. I'd have kept the expensive plastic, personally, but that's just me. I'm in the minority on this issue.