Chanan Bisha Pays With a Worn-Out Zuz
Chanan Bisha owed half a zuz for striking a man, but had only a worn full zuz, so he struck him again and paid the whole coin.
The Gemara relates a story about Chanan Bisha (Bechoros 50b), “Chanan the Bad.” He hit a fellow on his ear. (Some Rishonim have other interpretations of what exactly he did.) Apparently, it’s embarrassing to be hit publicly on the ear. The sages determined that the restitution due for that embarrassment is half a zuz. They therefore ruled that he had to pay his victim that amount. Chanan Bisha only had a full zuz, with its impression almost obliterated. Chanan Bisha hit the hapless victim again and then paid him the full zuz!
What is the significance of the fact that he had a zuz with its impression worn out? Why did the Gemara note that fact? The Rashba explains that when Chanan offered it as payment to his victim, he wanted change of half a zuz. However, the victim didn’t want to be stuck with a coin that is not universally accepted and also give up a perfectly good half a zuz. However, when Chanan hit him again, the amount owed was a full zuz. At this point, the victim could not refuse payment. While it was true that the coin would not be accepted everywhere, it would still be valid in some locations. The Rashba concludes from here that when someone is being paid for damages, he may not refuse coins that are somewhat valid. The Gemara made the point that the coin was somewhat difficult to spend to teach us this halachah, that the individual owed money cannot refuse money that is still somewhat legal tender.