Lot 234
Vespasian. Gold Aureus (7.02 g), AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Rome, AD 77/8. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian left. Rev. COS VIII in exergue, emperor in military attire standing left, holding long scepter and parazonium; behind, Victory standing left, crowning emperor with wreath and holding palm branch. (RIC 936; Hendin -; BN 183; BMC 205; Calicó 625). Rare. Choice very fine. Estimate $7,500UP
Ex Dr. Jonathan A. Herbst Collection (Superior, 8-9 December 1995), lot 1343.
Although it does not carry a IVDAEA CAPTA legend, this aureus, struck in the next to last year of Vespasian's reign, is still typologically and ideologically connected to that most famous series of Flavian coins. A virtually identical figure of the emperor in military garb appears on earlier sestertii and denarii with explicit IVDAEA CAPTA legends and which also feature a palm tree and weeping personification of Judaea. The continued use of types referring to the defeat of the First Jewish Revolt (AD 66-73) towards the end of Vespasian's reign serves to illustrate just how critical this victory was for the public image of the Flavian dynasty.
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| Realized $6,490 |
