The Jewish Tax

CNG 84, Lot: 1012. Estimate $3000. Sold for $7500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Nerva. AD 96-98. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 25.81 g, 6h). Judaea-related issue. Rome mint. Struck AD 96. Laureate head right / FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm tree with two bunches of dates. RIC II 82; Banti 14; Hendin 797. VF, river patina. Rare.

The legend on the reverse of this sestertius refers to Nerva's ending the practice of 'false accusation' used to collect the Jewish tax. Under Domitian, the collection of this tax was harshly enforced. Those who appeared to follow Jewish customs but did not acknowledge being Jews were prosecuted or condemned for godlessness. Nerva did not repeal the tax but limited the abuses in collecting it.