Lot 1979

Description

Titus, (A.D. 79-81), AE as, Rome mint, issued A.D. 79, (9.710 grams), obv. laureate head of Titus to left, around [IM]P T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS [VII], rev. around VICT0RIA AVGVST, Victory advancing to right on prow, holding wreath and palm, S C across field, (S.-, RIC 85, C.365). Delightful red-brown patina, weak in places of the legend, otherwise very fine and rare.

This coin is one of a rare group that commemorate either the great naval loss by tempest sustained by the Jews who had fled from Joppa to their ships when the town was attacked by Cestius, or the naval victory gained by the ships of Vespasian over the barks of the Jews on the lake of Gennesareth (Sea of Gallilee).