Just under 600 lots in the extensive March 16-20 auction at Künker in Osnabrück come from the Samel collection. This highly important collection was put together by Josef Samel and his sister Angela Arluk, who were born in Poland, but settled in Munich after the war.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Jonathan Franks

The original impulse for the collection came from the legendary mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek, himself a coin collector. With the help of several advisers, the siblings acquired pieces that document the history of the Jewish people from the 6th century BC, when Judea was conquered by the Persians, up to the late 20th century.

Among the lots are many rarities, including this silver Shekel, struck in year four (69-70AD) of the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans, with a chalice on the one side and a branch with three pomegranates on the other. In August 70, the revolt collapsed. The Roman army retook Jerusalem and burned the Temple.

Coins from the late period of the uprising are very rare. The besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem were short of everything, including silver to make coins.

The Shekel has a guide of €12,500.