Coin Finds and the Question of the Conquest of Jerusalem by Bar Kokhba

Abstract

Finds of Bar Kokhba coins in Jerusalem are often interpreted as negating the possibility of
the conquest of the city by Bar Kokhba rebels. They are said to be too few in number to
support the idea of such a conquest. However, when these finds are compared with the
finds of other contemporaneous coins discovered in Jerusalem, especially those of Aelia
Capitolina under Hadrian, a different picture emerges. The proportion of Bar Kokhba
coins among these finds does not appear to be negligible and accordingly, Bar Kokhba’s
conquest of Jerusalem may be considered a possibility.