Judaea. First Jewish Revolt. Prutah 66 - 74 AD. Jerusalem Mint. (Zonder Minimumprijs)

Judaea. First Jewish Revolt (66-74 AD). Minted in Jerusalem
Bronze Prutah (18mm 2.65 g). Reference: Hendin 1360

This prutah displays an amphora on the obverse. On the reverse, a vine leaf is shown with the phrase "𐤇𐤓𐤅𐤕 𐤑𐤉𐤅𐤍" in Samaritan script, which is "חרות ציון" in modern Hebrew. It translates to "Herut Zion", or "Freedom of Zion", representing the city’s resistance and its yearning for self-determination.

The First Jewish Revolt (66-74 AD) was a significant uprising against Roman rule in Judea, driven by a combination of religious, political, and economic factors. Tensions between the Jewish population and Roman authorities had been escalating for years, fueled by heavy taxation, religious repression, and interference in local governance. The revolt began in 66 AD when Jewish rebels in Jerusalem seized control of the city, and they soon issued their own currency, such as the prutah featuring the inscription "Herut Zion" ("Freedom of Zion"). This symbolized their desire for independence from Roman control. The rebellion lasted until 74 AD, culminating in the fall of Masada. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the revolt and its coins stand as a powerful testament to the Jewish fight for freedom and self-determination, making these coins significant not only as currency but as symbols of resistance to imperial power.