Lot 3522

Description

Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issue of middle of A.D. 71, (22.64 grams), obv. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head to right, rev. Jewess seated to right below palm, behind, Jew, standing right, hands tied behind back, arms in field, S C in exergue, around IVDAEA CAPTA, (S.2325, RIC 235 (424), BMC 535, C.232, H.773). Weak in parts of the legend, rough surface, otherwise nearly fine and rare.

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" 71.