Take a Penny, but Don’t Leave This One Behind

In today’s world of unsafe investments, should you just hold on to your money? If you wait about 1,900 years, that shekel in your pocket could accrue quite the interest. A bronze coin minted during the Bar Kokhba Rebellion netted an astonishing $83,375 at a recent ancient and world coins auction.

Struck in 133/134 C.E., this Judea coin holds tremendous historical value. Featuring an inscription reading “Shimon” on one side, and “Year two of the freedom of Israel” on the reverse, it celebrates the battle against the Roman Empire, and the creation of an independent state of Judea. Lasting only two and a half years, Judea, led by Simon Bar Kokhba would be the last sovereign Jewish state until the modern era.

Coins of the time were usually struck over Roman coins, with a file used to remove any designs. While the original Roman markings may be visible on lesser coins, on this specific artifact the superior shape and quality helped its owner to receive the astounding price.

If you try doing the math for dummies on this investment, this coin has an average interest of more than 4000% per year. Assuming you wish to find such a coin in today’s Israel, you better think twice. Israeli law has declared all antiquities found after 1979 the property of the State of Israel.

We thank world coin news for this story.

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