| Nomos AG > obolos 31 | Auction date: 21 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 605 Price realized: 2,200 CHF (Approx. 2,412 USD / 2,264 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Vespasian, 69-79. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 22.82 g, 6 h), Rome, 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. IVDAEA CAPTA / S C On the right, mourning Jewess seated to right at the base of a palm tree; to left, the emperor standing right, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left, and with his left foot resting on a helmet set on the ground. BMC 546. BN 497-8. Cohen 239. Hendin 6th edition, 6534a. RIC II.1, 167. Strong portrait of Vespasian. Stabilized emerald patina and somewhat weakly struck on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine. From an American collection. This remarkable coin, with its noble head of Vespasian, was part of one of the festive issues struck to commemorate the effective end of the Jewish War (it actually didn't end until the fall of Masada in 74) and shows either the emperor Vespasian (or perhaps the actual victor, Titus) standing and facing a palm tree (symbol of Judaea) and mourning Jewess. The reason why the victory over the Jews was so important to Vespasian and his sons was simple: their more important victory, the one over Vitellius that both ended the Roman Civil Wars and established the Flavians on the imperial throne, was against Roman citizens, and, thus, could not be celebrated. Starting price: 750 CHF |  |
