Hoard of shekels from the time of the Jewish War
againt the Romans, 66-70 CE
The collection of coins is an important component of the Hecht Collection. It includes coins struck by Jewish rulers during the Second Temple period, beginning with the coins of YHD, the Persian Province of Judah (approximately mid-4th century BCE) and ending with the coins of Bar Kokhba (132-135 CE). Especially impressive are the shekels and half-shekels from the period of the Great Revolt, and the sela and dinar coins that were minted during the Bar Kokhba War. These coins were decorated with motifs common in Jewish art, such as the pomegranate, a cluster of grapes, goblets, and musical instruments.
The coins, moreover, effectively comprise a large collection of portraits of Jewish rulers of the Second Temple period. Depicted upon these coins are the images of Herodian dynasty rulers; the most impressive are the coins of Agrippa I. The collection also includes interesting non-Jewish coins, that have some connection with Jewish history, such as the 'Judaea Capta' coins, which the Romans minted after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
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2. Judaea Capta coin, bronze sestertius, struck at Rome in 71 CE
3. Head of Agrippa I with diadem, bronze coin, struck at Caesarea in 43 CE
4. Jewish coin struck in Jerusalem for the Province of Judah, Persian period, 4th century BCE
