"FOR THE REDEMPTION OF JERUSALEM"

9 Av 5780
Ta'anit Tisha b'Av

During the first Jewish revolt against the Romans (66-70 CE), which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the four kinds (etrog, lulav, myrtle, willow) make their appearance on coins only during the fourth year, 69 CE. At that time, Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman legions and expected the worst. Significantly, after initial military successes, the inscription on the coins of the Jewish rebels originally read “for the redemption of Jerusalem”. By 69 CE, the deteriorating situation forced a change to “the freedom of Jerusalem”.  (Source)

The Siege of Jerusalem - The Great Jewish Revolt

Babylonian Conquest and Destruction of the First Temple