'imzn "iTJ-'bx, "Eleazar the Priest," in Samaritan let- ters. Reverse. A bnnch of grapes with the inscription XrilO
[bxij^i r3x3 nn, "Year one of the Redemption
of Israel." Some silver coins also, first published by Reichardt. bear the same inscription on the obverse, under a palm-tree, but the letters run from left to right. Tlie reverse bears the same type and inscription as the copper coins.
These coins, as well as some that bear the name of Simon or Simeon, are attributed bj- Dr. Levy to the pe- riod of this first rebellion. It is quite clear, however, that sojne of the coins bearing similar inscriptions belong to the period of Bar-cocheba's rebellion (or Barcoceba's, as the name is often spelled) under Hadrian, because they are stamped upon denarii of Trajan, his predecessor. The work of Dr. Levy will be found very useful, as col- lecting together notices of all these coins, and throwing out very useful suggestions as to their attribution ; but we must still look to further researches and fresh col- lections of these coins for full satisfaction on many points. The attribution of the shekels and half-shekels to Simon Maccabfeus may be considered as well estab- lished, and several of the other coins described in the article Monky' offer no grounds for hesitation or (loid)t. But still this series is very much isolated from other classes of coins, and the nature of the work hardly cor- responds in some cases with the periods to which we are constrained, from the existing evidence, to attribute the coins. We must therefore still look for further light from future inquiries.
3, Charactervitics and Classification. — The average weight of the silver coins is about 220 grains troy for the shekel, and 110 for the half-shekel. Among the symbols found on this series of coins is one which is considered to represent that which was called Lnlab by the Jews. This term was a|)plied (see Maimonides on the section of the 'Mislina called Rosh [lashanah, or
SHEKEL
646
SHELDEN
Commencement of the Year, vii, 1, and the Mishna it- self in Succa/i, nsiD, or Booths, iii, 1, both of which passages are quoted by Baj-er, De Nu7n. p. 129) to the branches of the three trees mentioned in Lev. xxiii, 40, which are thought to be the palm, the mjT- tle, and the willow. These, which were to be carried b}' the Israelites at the Feast of Tabernacles, were usu- ally accompanied by the fruit of the citron, which is also found in t!iis representation. Sometimes two of these Lalabs are found together. At least such is the explanation given by some authorities of the symbols called in the article Money by the name of Sheaves. The subject is involved in much difficulty and obscurity, and we speak, therefore, with some hesitation and diffi- dence, especially as experienced numismatists differ in their views. This explanation is, however, adopted by Bayer {De Num. p. 128, 219, etc.), and by Cavedoni {Bibl. Num. p. 31, 32, of the German translation), who adds references to 1 Mace, iv, 59; John x, 22, as he considers that the Lulab was in use at the Feast of the Dedication on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month as well as at that of Tabernacles. He also refers to 2 Mace, i, 18; x, 6, 7, where the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is described, and the branches carried by the worshippers are specified. The symbol on the re- verse of the shekels, representing a twig with three buds, appears to bear more resemblance to the buds of the pomegranate than to any other plant. — Smith.
The following list is substantially that given by Ca- vedoni (p. 11 of the German translation) as an enumer- ation of all the coins which can be attributed with any certainty to Simon Maccabseus. See Numismatics.
A. Sii.VKR. — I. Shekels of three years, with the inscrip- tion bX"l^"^ hp.^, Shekel Israel ("Shekel of Israel"), on the obverse, with a vase, over which appears (1) au X, Aleph [first year] ; (2) the letter U3, Shin [for njTi:, She- nath, "year"], with a 11, Beth [year 2]; (3) the letter O, . Shin, with a 5, Giviel [year 3].
On the reverse is the twig with three buds, and the inscription n'CJTp D^UJI"!'^, Jerusalem Kedushah, or nOTipn, H(ifc-icrf?M/Mi/i ("Jerusalem the Holy"). The spelling varies with the year. The shekel of the first year has only rTL."np cb^yil"'; while those of the second and third years have the fuller form, na'^lpH Dibai"l\ The second "^ of the Jerusalem is important, as showing that both modes of spelling were in use at the same time.
Silver Shekel of Simon Macciihieus. (From the British Museum.)
Ohverse. Vase, with date above it, *' Year 3 ;" leerend, " Shekel of Israel." Jicvf-rse. Braneh bearing three flowers ; legend, " Jerusalem the Holy."
II. The same as above, only half the weight, which is indicated by the word ^^11, chatsi, "a half" These oc- cur only in the first and Sfcond years.
B. Copper.— I. 'JI'^S rbX5^, LiguUath Tsinn, "Of the Liberation of Ziou." The vase as on the silver shekel and half-sliekel.
On the reverse, r^^X 'H'l'CShenath Aria, "The Fourth Year." Lulab between two citrons.
Copper Shekel of Siinou Miiccal)wus. (From Mr. Wigan's collection.)
Obverse. Vase, with legend " Of [the] Liberation of Zion." Reverse. Sheaf [?] between two fruits ; legend, •* Year four."