Lot 3322

Description

Claudius, (A.D. 41-54), AE as, Rome mint, issued 41-50, (10.36 grams), obv. bare head of Claudius to left, around TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP PP, rev. LIBERTAS AVGVSTA, Libertas standing to right, holding pileus, SC across in field, (S.1860 [£55 F], RIC 113, BMC 202); Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), AE sestertius, (24.36 grams), issued 77-8, rev. Pax standing left, around [PAX] AVGVST, (S.2330, RIC 437, C.326); Vespasian, as, rev. VIC[ORIA] NAVALIS, (cf.S.2355, RIC 503); Hadrian, (A.D. 117-138), Ae As, obv. laureate cuirassed bust right, rev. P M TR P COS III, Pax standing left, (cf.S.3688, cf.RIC 616). Generally fine or better, last piece unpublished. (4)

The VICTORIA NAVALIS is a rare reverse issue to both Titus and Vespasian and refer to the victory over the Jews. It alludes to either the great naval loss by storm sustained by the Jews who had fled from Joppa to their ships when the city was attacked by Cestius; or to the naval victory gained by the vessels of Vespasian over the barks of the Jews on the lake of Gennesareth. The victory was significant enough to be commemorated by both Vespasian and Titus on their coinage at various times during their reigns.