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Zev Radovan/Courtesy Temple Mount Sifting Project

“FOR THE FREEDOM OF ZION.” The first coin discovered by our wet-sifting technique dates to the First Jewish Revolt against Rome (66–70 C.E.), which ended with the destruction of the Temple. As a sign of rebellion, Jews minted their own coins dated to the first, second, third, fourth and, more rarely, even fifth year of the revolt. Striking so-called freedom coins was a sign of rebellion, as the minting of coins was an imperial prerogative.