Lot 4536

Description

Vespasian, (A.D. 69-79), AE sestertius, Rome mint, third issue of A.D. 71, (21.94 g), obv. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head to right of Vespasian, rev. Jewess seated to right below palm, behind, Jewish captive standing right, hands tied behind back, arms in field, S C in exergue, around IVDAEA CAPTA, (S.2325, RIC 233, BN 491, BMC 532, H.773). Obverse field slightly rough, otherwise good very fine/nearly extremely fine and rare in this condition.

Ex I.S. Wright, Sydney, Status Auction Sale 271, October 27, 2010 (lot 5446).
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 that was celebrated at the end of June 71".