| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61408 | Auction date: 13 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 25173 Price realized: 1,650 USD (Approx. 1,511 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AR denarius (18mm, 3.43 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 3/5. Antioch, AD 72-73. IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, laureate head of Vespasian right / Palm tree in center, Titus (on left) standing right, grounded spear in right hand, parazonium in left, left foot on helmet, Jewess (on right) seated right in attitude of mourning. GBC 6, 6520 corr. (obverse legend). RIC II.1, 1558. Gorgeously toned specimen Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3054 (7 April 2017), lot 30230. Descended from a family of small-time entrepreneurs and tax farmers in the Sabine hill country north of Rome, Flavius Vespasianus was born in AD 9 and rose to prominence in the Roman Army. He gained distinction during Claudius' invasion of Britain in AD 43-44 and won a Consulship in AD 51, but fell from imperial favor when he dozed off during one of Nero's musical performances. When a Jewish faction in the province of Judaea rebelled and massacred the local Roman garrison in AD 66, Nero sent Vespasian at the head of three legions to crush the revolt. Through his able son Titus, Vespasian gained the friendship and support of Mucianus, governor of Syria, who had another three legions at his disposal. When the collapse of Nero's regime in AD 68 led to a free-for-all for the throne, with Galba, Otho, and Vitellius following in quick succession, Vespasian realized he had the means and ability to make his own try for supreme power. On 1 July AD 69, the legions of Alexandria, Egypt declared Vespasian as emperor. He decided on a policy of blockade and attrition to defeat Vitellius, but the sudden declaration of support by the Danubian legions and their invasion of Italy in the fall of AD 69 brought a much quicker victory. Vitellius was executed on 20 December, and the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor two days later. Arriving in Rome the following October, Vespasian celebrated a magnificent triumph for the Judaean campaign before launching an austerity program to put the Empire's finances on sound footing. His decade of rule was largely untroubled by revolts and conspiracies. Upon his death due to a sudden illness in AD 79 he was widely and sincerely mourned, and power passed smoothly to his son Titus. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vespasian-ad-69-79-ar-denarius-18mm-343-gm-6h-ngc-choice-au-4-5-3-5/a/61408-25173.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61408-10132024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3121 | Auction date: 13 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 33062 Price realized: To Be Posted | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus (20mm, 7.31 gm, 11h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 3/5. Rome, AD 73. IMP CAES VESP AVG CENSOR, laureate head of Vespasian right / VES-TA, round temple-shrine of Vesta with four columns and flight of steps leading up to the central tondo; statue of Vesta within, statue (Securitas?) with right hand on head, left hand on hip, on base to left, statue (Pax?) with branch downward in right hand, scepter in left, on base to right. Calicó 693. RIC II.1, 516. A lovely example with delicately rendered designs on a sunny flan. Ex Kunker, Auction 347 (22 March 2021), lot 1078; Kunker, Auction 288 (13 March 2017), lot 475. The reverse depicts the circular Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum, a portion of which survives today. The round floor plan with the conical roof were probably reminders of the round huts in which denizens of Rome first lived. At the center of the temple was the Sacred Fire of Vesta, tended by the order of Vestal Virgins. Over nine centuries, the shrine was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The version seen here was rededicated by Vespasian after the Augustan temple had been damaged in the Great Fire of AD 64. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-vespasian-ad-69-79-av-aureus-20mm-731-gm-11h-ngc-choice-xf-4-5-3-5/a/3121-33062.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3121-01132025 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 20000-25000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61408 | Auction date: 13 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 25189 Price realized: 1,400 USD (Approx. 1,282 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AE sestertius (34mm, 24.64 gm, 6h). NGC VF 5/5 - 2/5. Lugdunum, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right / IVDAEA-CAPTA, palm tree in center with two bunches of dates, Vespasian, standing right (on left) in military dress, grounded spear in right hand, parazonium cradled in left arm, left foot on helmet, and Jewess seated right (on right) on cuirass, right arm on knee, left hand propping head in attitude of mourning; SC in exergue. RIC II.1, 1134. GBC 6, 6573. The famous reverse legend IVDAEA CAPTA refers to the triumph of Vespasian's son Titus over the Jewish rebels and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the prior year. Six hundred years earlier, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II and his conquering army had destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, carrying away the Jewish people as slaves back to Babylon. The Romans chose to leave the subjugated Jewish population in place, a mistake that would come back to haunt them in the Bar Kokhba Revolt 60 years later. But if not steal the Jewish population as the Babylonians had done, what did the Romans loot from Judaea as spoils of war? Though the Romans had been enraged by the insubordination of the Jews, they held a certain respect for the ancient nature of the Jewish religion and its institutions, part of the reason that Roman authorities permitted Judaism while persecuting newer "cults" like Christianity. When the triumphant army of Titus descended upon the city in August AD 70, they fixated on the Temple, the center of the Jewish faith and therefore of the revolt against Rome. Before destroying the structure, the Roman legionaries looted the sacred relics of the Temple, including the Table of the Sacred Bread, a table of solid gold that held various food and drink that was a type of permanent offering to God. But the greatest prize of all was the gold menorah, which was paraded through the streets of Rome along with the aforementioned Table and the sacred trumpets during Titus' triumph. The whole scene, including the menorah, is featured prominently on the Arch of Titus, which still stands today in Rome. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vespasian-ad-69-79-ae-sestertius-34mm-2464-gm-6h-ngc-vf-5-5-2-5/a/61408-25189.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61408-10132024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3122 | Auction date: 21 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 34225 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AR denarius (18mm, 3.39 gm, 5h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 2/5, brushed Scratches. Rome, 21 December AD 69-early AD 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate bust of Vespasian right / IVDAEA, captive Judaea, veiled, hands bound behind her, seated right on ground before palm tree with three clusters of dates. RIC II.1, 4. GBC 6, 6510. Rare variety. Crisp, dimensional details. Ex Leu, Auction 10 (24 October 2021), lot 2304. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-vespasian-ad-69-79-ar-denarius-18mm-339-gm-5h-ngc-choice-au-4-5-2-5-brushed-scratches/a/3122-34225.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3122-01212025 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 4:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61408 | Auction date: 13 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 25193 Price realized: 280 USD (Approx. 256 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AE sestertius (31mm, 24.47 gm, 6h). NGC VG 4/5 - 2/5, smoothing. Rome, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right / IVDAEA-CAPTA, palm tree in center; bearded and draped Jewish captive standing right (on left) , hands tied behind back, grounded shield behind, and Judaea seated right on cuirass (on right), in attitude of mourning, resting left elbow on knee, supporting head with left hand, pile of arms behind both figures, S C in exergue. RIC II.1 159. GBC 6, 6530. From The M&N Collection. Ex Coin Galleries, Mail Bid Sale (13 November 1985), lot 418. The famous reverse legend IVDAEA CAPTA refers to the triumph of Vespasian's son Titus over the Jewish rebels and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the prior year. Six hundred years earlier, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II and his conquering army had destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, carrying away the Jewish people as slaves back to Babylon. The Romans chose to leave the subjugated Jewish population in place, a mistake that would come back to haunt them in the Bar Kokhba Revolt 60 years later. But if not steal the Jewish population as the Babylonians had done, what did the Romans loot from Judaea as spoils of war? Though the Romans had been enraged by the insubordination of the Jews, they held a certain respect for the ancient nature of the Jewish religion and its institutions, part of the reason that Roman authorities permitted Judaism while persecuting newer "cults" like Christianity. When the triumphant army of Titus descended upon the city in August AD 70, they fixated on the Temple, the center of the Jewish faith and therefore of the revolt against Rome. Before destroying the structure, the Roman legionaries looted the sacred relics of the Temple, including the Table of the Sacred Bread, a table of solid gold that held various food and drink that was a type of permanent offering to God. But the greatest prize of all was the gold menorah, which was paraded through the streets of Rome along with the aforementioned Table and the sacred trumpets during Titus' triumph. The whole scene, including the menorah, is featured prominently on the Arch of Titus, which still stands today in Rome. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vespasian-ad-69-79-ae-sestertius-31mm-2447-gm-6h-ngc-vg-4-5-2-5-smoothing/a/61408-25193.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61408-10132024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 5:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61413 | Auction date: 4 November 2024 |
| Lot number: 24115 Price realized: 900 USD (Approx. 830 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AR denarius (18mm, 3.32 gm, 1h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Ephesus, AD 74. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P P P, laureate head of Vespasian right / CONCORDIA-AVG, Ceres enthroned left, in ornate throne, grain ears and poppy in right hand, cornucopia cradled in left arm; star in exergue. RIC II.1 1456. Descended from a family of small-time entrepreneurs and tax farmers in the Sabine hill country north of Rome, Flavius Vespasianus was born in AD 9 and rose to prominence in the Roman Army. He gained distinction during Claudius' invasion of Britain in AD 43-44 and won a Consulship in AD 51, but fell from imperial favor when he dozed off during one of Nero's musical performances. When a Jewish faction in the province of Judaea rebelled and massacred the local Roman garrison in AD 66, Nero sent Vespasian at the head of three legions to crush the revolt. Through his able son Titus, Vespasian gained the friendship and support of Mucianus, governor of Syria, who had another three legions at his disposal. When the collapse of Nero's regime in AD 68 led to a free-for-all for the throne, with Galba, Otho, and Vitellius following in quick succession, Vespasian realized he had the means and ability to make his own try for supreme power. On 1 July AD 69, the legions of Alexandria, Egypt declared Vespasian as emperor. He decided on a policy of blockade and attrition to defeat Vitellius, but the sudden declaration of support by the Danubian legions and their invasion of Italy in the fall of AD 69 brought a much quicker victory. Vitellius was executed on 20 December, and the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor two days later. Arriving in Rome the following October, Vespasian celebrated a magnificent triumph for the Judaean campaign before launching an austerity program to put the Empire's finances on sound footing. His decade of rule was largely untroubled by revolts and conspiracies. Upon his death due to a sudden illness in AD 79 he was widely and sincerely mourned, and power passed smoothly to his son Titus. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vespasian-ad-69-79-ar-denarius-18mm-332-gm-1h-ngc-choice-au-5-5-4-5-fine-style/a/61413-24115.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61413-11042024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
