Obverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a three-stringed lyre
Reverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a palm branch in a wreath
Bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius in a display case, a three-stringed lyre, obverse facing up
Obverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a three-stringed lyre
Reverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a palm branch in a wreath
Bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius in a display case, a three-stringed lyre, obverse facing up

Simon bar Kokhba (Lyre and Palm Branch) Bronze Dupondius

Authentic OriginalAUTHENTIC ORIGINAL

Minted in Judea (132–135 CE) during the Bar Kokhba Revolt, this medium bronze coin (Dupondius) was issued by Jewish rebels to declare their independence from Rome. Uniquely, it was created by overstriking circulating Roman currency, intentionally erasing the faces of Roman emperors to replace them with Jewish symbols.

The design features a three-stringed lyre on the obverse and a palm branch enclosed in a wreath on the reverse, replacing Roman imperial iconography with sacred Jewish imagery. Manually overstruck, each coin uniquely varies in its shape and centering, often displaying faint traces of the original Roman design beneath.

This coin is a genuine piece of daily life from the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Owning it allows you to hold the actual currency used by the rebels during the final struggle for Jewish independence in antiquity.

Variants

Translation missing: en.products.product.pick_options
Bronze
$800.00
$800.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Quantity:

No video available for this product.

The Story

In 132 CE, Judean forces led by Simon bar Kokhba launched a massive uprising against the Roman Empire. To establish an independent economy and broadcast their political objectives, the rebel administration minted their own autonomous currency. Lacking access to the destroyed Temple treasury, they resorted to an ingenious and defiant tactic: they gathered circulating Roman bronze coins, filed down the portraits of the Roman emperors, and struck their own dies over them.

This overstriking process functioned as an act of psychological warfare-literally erasing imperial authority and replacing it with declarations of Jewish autonomy. Minted during the conflict (132-135 CE), this medium bronze Dupondius intentionally used archaic Paleo-Hebrew script to connect the rebellion to the ancient, sovereign era of the First Temple.

The obverse bears the name "Shimon," referring directly to Simon bar Kokhba, the brilliant military commander of the revolt. Unlike the agricultural motifs found on many rebel coins, this specific variant features a three-stringed lyre. This deeply spiritual symbol represents the *Kinnor* (the harp of David), evoking the sacred music of the Levitical choirs in the destroyed sanctuary.

"For the freedom of Jerusalem."
- Paleo-Hebrew battle cry struck over erased Roman currency (132-135 CE)

The bold reverse inscription, "for the freedom of Jerusalem," broadcast the ultimate military objective of the revolutionary government. The Bar Kokhba Revolt raged for three years before being brutally suppressed by the Roman legions in 135 CE, marking the end of Jewish political independence in antiquity. Today, these overstruck coins are the most profound physical remnants of that final, defiant stand, offering a tangible connection to what was lost.

Obverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a three-stringed lyre Reverse of bronze Simon bar Kokhba dupondius, showing a palm branch in a wreath

The Symbols

01 / 01

Surrounded by a Paleo-Hebrew inscription translating to "Shimon," this musical instrument specifically represents the Kinnor (David's harp), signifying the Levitical choirs and the music of the destroyed Temple.

Every coin includes a Certificate of Authenticity backed by the expertise of a government-authorized antiquities dealer.

The certificate provides documented context for the piece, featuring details such as:

  • A formal declaration guaranteeing the item as a genuine antiquity.
  • Historical background on the era, the ruler who minted the coin, and the historical climate of the time.
  • A numismatic description detailing the coin's denomination and minting dates.
  • Explanations of the specific motifs and symbols featured on the coin.
  • Translations of any relevant ancient inscriptions where applicable.

You May Also Like

arrow
arrow
  • Trusted Trusted
  • Quality assured Quality assured
  • Secure Secure
  • Customer Service Customer Service
  • Charity & Values Charity & Values
  • Authentic Originals Authentic Originals