Denomination: Denarius.

SILVER COIN OF HADRIAN.

Hadrian was Emperor during the Bar Kochba revolt. At the start of the Revolt Rabbi Akiva believed Bar Kochba would be the Moshiach. Hadrian however was successful in putting down the revolt. The silver coins of Emperors Hadrian and Trajan are stated by the Talmud to originate from the silver of the Beth Hamikdosh. The Talmud in Trac. Bechoroth f. 50a recounts that the Roman Treasury was almost depleted of silver and therefore Hadrian ordered the silver coins belonging to the Beth Hamikdosh to be confiscated, melted down and used to issue coins with his image on it and for broad usage. The Talmud asks whether it is permitted to use gold and silver since so much of it is derived from the Beth Hamikdosh. The Talmud concludes, based on a verse in the Book of Yechezkel, that in fact there is no continued sanctity to these coins.