Judaea, The Jewish War. Æ Quarter Shekel (8.98 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 4 (69/70 CE). 'Year four, quarter' (Paleo-Hebrew), two lulav branches. Rev. 'To the redemption of Zion' (Paleo-Hebrew), etrog. Hendin 1368; TJC 213. Rare. Dark brown patina. Very Fine. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
From the Palm Desert Collection. Purchased from Superior in the 1970s.
The lulav branches and etrog types depicted on the token bronze quarter shekels of the fourth year (April 69-March 70 CE) of the Jewish War refer to Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, which was both a harvest celebration and a commemoration of the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This typology may appear at this time because the rebels had reached the point of no return and had no hope of surviving the coming Roman onslaught without divine aid.