RIC 0328 Vespasian

Æ As, 10.91g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTOR AVGVSTI; S C in field; Victory adv. l. to place shield on trophy; below, Judaea std. l.
RIC 332 (R2). BMC 615. BNC -. Hendin 1556b
Acquired from Witter Coins, eBay, May 2020. Formerly in NGC holder 4683650-004, grade 'F', strike 4/5, surface 3/5.

This is a not so common 'Judaea Capta' As. The type of Victory and trophy with Judaea seated below has several variant reverse legends on the As, many of which are quite rare. This example has the unique reverse legend 'VICTOR AVGVSTI', which only appears on this one variant. Although lacking a 'Capta' legend, this reverse certainly refers to the recently concluded Jewish War - the defeated captive personifying Judaea sitting at the base of the trophy strongly declares the type's meaning under no uncertain terms. Missing from the extensive Paris collection.

Worn but nicely centred.