Lot 5132

Description

Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issue of middle of A.D. 71, (23.10 grams), obv. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head to right, rev. Jewess sits to right below palm, behind jew standing right, hands tied behind back, arms in field, S C in exergue, around IVDAEA CAPTA, (S.2325 [£300 F], RIC 424, BMC 535, C.232, H.773, [$750 F]). Weak in parts of the legend, otherwise good fine, very fine portrait, rare.

Ex Hong Kong Convention, from Oslo Mynthandel September 1996. The size of the sestertius afforded the artist great scope for the design and potency of the issue. The value of the orichalcum (brass) sestertius, bright and shiny, gold-like when issued, was one quarter silver denarius or 100 to the gold aureus. Kraay has convincingly argued that the Judaea capta sestertii with this obverse legend were 'closely connected with the triumph of Vespasian and Titus celebrated at the end of June'.