FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Coin of the Day => Topic started by: David Atherton on September 12, 2018, 01:22:05 am

Title: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: David Atherton on September 12, 2018, 01:22:05 am

I recently received this fairly rare Vespasian dupondius. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-149367

Although the Victoria Navalis type is traditionally attributed to Vespasian's lone Jewish War 'naval' battle - I am a bit sceptical, although it's difficult to account for the type otherwise. Perhaps it being a general 'Our Lady Victory of the Fleet' Naval type (Mattingly) is closer to the truth?

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: orfew on September 12, 2018, 07:56:32 pm

Lovely coin David. I really like the reverse.

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: David Atherton on September 13, 2018, 07:29:29 am

Thank you Andrew for the kind words. It's quite a treat to hold such a rarity in hand.

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: stevex6 on September 13, 2018, 09:31:01 am

Wow! ... David, that baby is amazing!

It's a very rugged looking coin ... I love it, congrats!

 +++

Oh, but hopefully you'll release it from its plastic tomb? (cheers, either way)

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 13, 2018, 06:21:15 pm

Vespasian owed the army and navy an enormous debt for winning the civil war and making him emperor. I include the navy because at times they played an important background role. If there's no specific reference to Judea, I put them down as general military types.

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: David Atherton on September 13, 2018, 06:47:57 pm

Quote from: Steve P on September 13, 2018, 09:31:01 am

Wow! ... David, that baby is amazing!

It's a very rugged looking coin ... I love it, congrats!

 +++

Oh, but hopefully you'll release it from its plastic tomb? (cheers, either way)

Thanks Steve. And yes, the coin has been freed!

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: David Atherton on September 13, 2018, 06:56:50 pm

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on September 13, 2018, 06:21:15 pm

Vespasian owed the army and navy an enormous debt for winning the civil war and making him emperor. I include the navy because at times they played an important background role. If there's no specific reference to Judea, I put them down as general military types.

I lean in that direction too, although it must be noted even the highly respected Josephus historian Steve Mason attributes the coin type to the Lake Gennesaret naval battle.

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: Nemonater on September 13, 2018, 08:32:15 pm

Great coin David.  I believe these are Judaea Capta types.  

According to Mason, "The small frieze on the arch beneath the architrave depicts a river-god image, seeming to confirm that the Flavians made an issue of naval victory in the Judaean War itself...... To look more Pompeian-Augustan, it seems, the Flavians either greatly magnified the lopsided lake skirmish or simply fabricated a real naval victory."

Here's one of mine -

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-101802

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: David Atherton on September 14, 2018, 08:12:36 am

Quote from: Nemonater on September 13, 2018, 08:32:15 pm

Here's one of mine -

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-101802

Very nice!

Title: Re: Vespasian Victoria Navalis COTD
Post by: stevex6 on September 15, 2018, 11:51:55 pm

Cha-Ching!!

That's awesome David => 100%

Ummm, the coin loves you for freeing it!

=> winna-winna