Dea Moneta
login

Main

home auctions shops past results Book Store

Not yet registered? Sign up now

Did you forget your username or password?

Banner Artemide 56E
Impressive Vespasian Portrait
Lot # 310
Vespasian (69-79). AE Sestertius, Rome mint, 71 AD. Obv. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG PM TR P PP COS III. Laureate head right. Rev. IVDAEA CAPTA SC. Palm tree; to left, bound male captive standing right; to right, Judaea seated right, in mourning; to left and right, on groundline, arms. RIC II 424; RIC II-p. 1 (2nd ed.) 159; C. 233 (Fr. 8); Hendin 1500. AE. 22.32 g. 33.50 mm. R. A superb portrait. Slightly rough surfaces, light green brown patina. Good VF/VF. This celebrated type is part of the large series issued by Vespasian early in his reign (mostly in AD 71) celebrating the quelling of the Jewish uprising known as the "First Revolt" or the "Jewish War." When Vespasian left the East to make his bid for the imperial throne, he left his elder son Titus in charge of the military operations in Judaea. Jerusalem was captured in September AD 70, and the following year father and son staged a magnificent triumph through the streets of Rome. The event was commemorated by the Arch of Titus which was erected early in the reign of Vespasian's younger son, Domitian, and still stands today near the ruins of the Roman Forum.
(Ira&Larry Goldberg 72, 2013, 4140 note).