Lot 3631

Description

Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issue of A.D. 71, (22.55 gm), 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 emperor in military uniform, with spear etc. S C in exergue, around IVDAEA [CAPTA], (S.2327, RIC 427, BMC 543, C.239, H.775). Weak in parts of the obverse and reverse legend, an uneven polished porous surface, otherwise nearly fine and rare.

Most Judaea issues were struck shortly following the war or, much later, in the reign of Domitian. The issue commemorates the Jewish war and the Roman victory. The wide range of issues, over many years, was an obvious message to the Jews not to repeat the errors of their ways by attempting another revolt.