Lot 2538

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 to the naval victory gained by the ships of Vespasian over the barks of the Jews on the lake of Gennesareth (Sea of Gallilee).