Judaea First Revolt – Hand-Struck Silver Half-Shekel Replica (Year 1)

Overview & Craftsmanship

This Judaea First Revolt AR Half Shekel is a hand-struck sterling silver replica inspired by the ancient Jewish silver half shekel struck in the first year of the First Jewish–Roman War (66–67 CE) at Jerusalem, under the authority of the rebel Judean provisional government at the outbreak of the historic uprising against Roman rule — a distinctive and culturally significant denomination known today from a limited number of surviving ancient examples.

Each piece is individually hammered in solid silver using traditional striking techniques. This process produces irregular flans, varied relief, and surface character comparable to ancient originals, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike.

Unlike cast or machine-pressed copies, hand-struck replicas retain the depth, texture, and individuality characteristic of genuine ancient coinage.

Historical & Numismatic Background

• A rare ancient silver half shekel minted by the Jewish people during the First Jewish–Roman War, also known as the Great Revolt (ha-Mered ha-Gadol). These coins were struck in the Holy City of Jerusalem during the first year of the conflict (66–67 CE), marking the opening phase of the rebellion.
• In 66 CE, the small Jewish nation of Judaea rose in revolt against the overwhelming power of the Roman Empire. One of the very first acts of the Jewish people was the creation of their own precious-metal coinage — a powerful and deliberate declaration of political, religious, and cultural independence. These deeply symbolic and tactile pieces of silver stand as unmistakable proclamations of Jewish sovereignty and identity.
• The high-purity silver coins of the revolt were struck for just five years, each dated according to the year of the rebellion, with Year 1 issues representing the foundational moment of revolutionary authority. Many half shekels were overstruck on Tyrian silver taken from the Temple treasury itself, deliberately replacing the long-standing Tyrian legends “Tyre the Holy and the Inviolable” with bold new inscriptions proclaiming “Shekel of Israel” and “Jerusalem the Holy.”
• More than just a coin, this artefact bears witness to the opening chapter of the Jewish struggle to preserve faith, culture, and self-determination in the face of imperial domination.

Numismatic References:

This replica is inspired by ancient issues documented in standard numismatic references, including:

– Herbst 1236

Technical Details & Variations

Type: Judaea First Revolt half-shekel year 1 replica

Denomination represented: AR half-shekel

Authority / Mint: Jerusalem

Era represented: 66-67 CE

Material: Sterling silver (AR)

Weight: approx. 6-7 gr

Dimensions: approx. 21-22 mm

Manufacturing method: Hand-struck (hammered)

Obverse: ‘Shekel of Israel’ in Palaeo-Hebrew, around a ritual chalice

Reverse: ‘Jerusalem the Holy’ in Palaeo-Hebrew, around a branch with three pomegranates

Due to the traditional hand-striking process, variations in weight, diameter, strike, and surface are expected.

Availability & Variations

When listed as “Add to Cart,” the coin shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive.

When listed as “Order Now,” the coin will be hand-struck to order. Each newly struck piece will differ slightly in appearance, reflecting the traditional minting process.

Intended Use

Suitable for:

– collectors of ancient and historical coinage

– academic or educational reference

– museum or exhibition display

– historically accurate reenactment

– high-quality numismatic gifts

Replica Disclaimer

This item is a modern, hand-struck replica inspired by ancient coinage. It is not an original ancient coin.