Zuz - Simeon bar Kosevah Year Three

Struck in Year Three of the Bar Kokhba revolt — the final year before Roman forces under Julius Severus systematically reduced the rebel strongholds — these coins were produced by overstruck Roman provincial silver, almost certainly denarii and tetradrachms already in circulation. The Jewish administration lacked mint infrastructure, so every piece required an existing coin as a blank. That mechanical necessity is why so many examples show ghost traces of the host coin beneath the Jewish imagery.

Year Three issues are notably scarcer than Year One and Year Two pieces, consistent with the catastrophic military situation of 134–135 CE. The revolt ended with the fall of Betar.