"COIN OF THE MONTH" - BAR KOCHBA AR SELA / TETRADRACHM
Mildenberg 17, Hendin 6416, Extremely Fine, 25.8mm, 14.25 grams
Obverse: Temple Facade, holy of holies with ark staves within protruding, surrounded by inscription "JERUSALEM in Paleo-Hebrew with + in center.
Reverse: Arba Minim (Palm branch, willow, myrtle and etrog (one each as per opinion of Rabbi Akiba), surrounded by inscription "YEAR TWO OF THE FREEDOM OF JERUSALEM" in abbreviated Paleo-Hebrew.
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It all comes together in this BEAUTIFUL Sela; a nice CENTERED unobstructed strike on EXCELLENT metal, for this RARE early dated issue with Jerusalem on the obverse.
We can obverse that aside from the the wavy line Sela, the upper facade of all other Selas feature either a rosette, a + sign or a star. All are figurative and appear to represent the twinkle of the chandelier of Queen Helena which was hung in the center of the Temple's entrance.
Nice soft toning and in an American collection the last several decades.
