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capta doma.jpg
AS FOUND. DOMITIAN CAESAREA MARITIMA JUDAEA CAPTA TYPEJudaea Capta, Domitian, Struck at Caesarea Maritima 81-96 CE. Æ 24mm
O: Laureate bust of Domitian to right.
R: Victory to left with trophy.
Hendin-747. Æ 24mm
Extremely Fine

1 commentsMaritima
vespas_judaea_cap_res.jpg
(10) VESPASIANJudaea Capta Issue
69 - 79 AD
Struck 71 AD
AE Sestertius 32.5 mm 21.75 g
O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right
R: IVDAEA CAPTA, Emperor with spear standing left of palm tree; Judaea mourning to right; SC in exe
Rome RIC II 427
laney
capta titus.jpg
JUDAEA CAPTATitus, 79-81 A.D., Judaea Capta, Struck at Caesarea Maritima, Hendin-745
TitusJudea Capta, Caesarea Maritima.
O: Laureate bust Titus to right. AYTOKP. TIT. OΣΚΑΙΣΑΡ
R: Jewish captive, hands bound behind him, kneels left beneath trophy
IOYΔΑΙΑCΕΑΛ WΚΥΙΑC
Hendin-745.
Maritima
IMG_4409.JPG
Judaea Capta, Domitian, AE18mm, Caesarea MintJudaea Capta, Domitian, AE18mm Caesarea mint
Laureate head right.
Victory standing left, holding wreath and trophy made up of capturedJewish arms.
Hendin 750; AJC II 8.
1 commentsMaritima
judaea_capta_vespasian_a_copy.jpg
Judaea Capta--VESPASIAN69 - 79 AD
Struck 71 AD
AE Sestertius 32.5 mm 21.75 g
O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right
R: IVDAEA CAPTA, Emperor with spear standing left of palm tree; Judaea mourning to right; SC in exe
Rome RIC II 427
laney
vesp titus domitian.jpg
RIC 0016 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.04g
Rome Mint, January - June 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: CAESAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR; Bare heads of Titus on l. and Domitian on r., facing one another
RIC 16 (R). BMC 2. RSC 5. BNC 1.
Acquired from Ephesus Numismatics, November 2005.

This denarius was issued during the first year of Vespasian's reign to announce the beginning of a new dynasty. The titles of both Titus and Domitian as Caesars are proclaimed on the reverse. Titus: CAESAR AVG F COS = 'Caesar, son of the the Augustus and consul'. Domitian: CAESAR AVG F PR = 'Caesar, son of the Augustus and praetor'. After the chaos of the Civil War, Rome badly needed stability and Vespasian and his family would provide it. Along with Judaea Capta, dynastic continuity is a major theme of the early coinage.

4 commentsDavid Atherton
V759a.jpg
RIC 0759 VespasianÆ Dupondius, 14.46g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: PON•MAX•TR•POT•P•P•COS•V CENS; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 759 (C). BMC p. 219 note. RPC 1983 (6 spec.). BNC 905.
Ex eBay, 16 October 2018. Ex Klassische Münzen.

Traditionally, the issue this rather strange dupondius is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. Ted Buttrey writing in the RIC II.1 Addenda commented extensively on it. Because both the Addenda has yet to see the light of day and T. Buttrey's thoughts on the subject are important (and indeed likely correct), I have largely quoted it in full here with some minor editing.

'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.

Previously the series had been attributed to Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222), then as a likelihood to Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012). The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East.

There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero. The dupondius-sized bronze was accompanied by a half-unit with the type of a large, central S C – again signed by Vespasian, and now imitated on the As of the orichalcum series with the wreath of the As of Antioch (RPC I 4849-50).
The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.'

The coin itself is a superb example in very fine style. Beautiful dark golden patina with highlights of emerald green.
8 commentsDavid Atherton
V762.jpg
RIC 0762 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ Dupondius, 11.90g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAESAR•IMP•PONT; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: TR•POT•COS III•CENSOR•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 762 (R2). BMC -. BNC 909. RPC 1992 (1 spec.).
Acquired from Aegean Numismatics, July 2020.

A truly remarkable dupondius. Struck in Rome, but lacking the traditional radiate portrait on the obverse and the de rigueur S C on the reverse. The reverse with crossed cornucopiae echoes similar types from the East. Traditionally, the issue this rather strange coin is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. Ted Buttrey writing in the RIC II.1 Addenda commented extensively on it. Because both the Addenda has yet to see the light of day and T. Buttrey's thoughts on the subject are important, I have largely quoted it in full here with some minor editing.

'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.

Previously the series had been attributed to Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222), then as a likelihood to Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012). The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East.

There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero. The dupondius-sized bronze was accompanied by a half-unit with the type of a large, central S C – again signed by Vespasian, and now imitated on the As of the orichalcum series with the wreath of the As of Antioch (RPC I 4849-50).
The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.'

Curtis Clay has a few objections to Buttrey's theory as to why the issue was struck: 'As far as I am aware, there is nothing "astonishing" about Vespasian's "signing" of the two coins of Sepphoris. EΠI followed by the governor's name appeared frequently on Roman provincial coins, meaning simply, "Struck while the man named was governor". So there was no evident reason for Vespasian to consider it extraordinary that he had been named as governor of Syria on coins of Sepphoris struck for Nero near the end of his reign (Year 14), and no evident reason why he should have referred to the Sepphoris coins in his orichalcum issue struck at Rome five years later. It seems quite probable that Vespasian never even noticed his name on the coins of Sepphoris, and certainly very few Romans in the West will ever have seen such a coin, though Buttrey thinks the orichalcum coins were struck for circulation in the West in 74 in order to recall precisely those Sepphoris coins with their reference to Vespasian some months before his accession. Why waste coin types on references that were inconsequential, and that nobody was likely to comprehend?'

If Buttrey's argument is wrong it brings us back to the original question - why was an Eastern flavoured coinage struck for circulation in the West? Perhaps it may be nothing more than Vespasian paying homage to the part of the world that elevated him. This is a fairly rare example with left facing portrait, which, ironically, in this series are much more commonly struck for Vespasian than for Titus Caesar. Missing from the BM and only one example cited in RPC.

Dark patina and fine style.
2 commentsDavid Atherton
V1565.jpg
RIC 1565 VespasianÆ As, 6.57g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESP AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: S • C in laurel wreath
RIC 1565 (C2). BMC 894. RPC 1984 (20 spec.). BNC 913.
Acquired from Ephesus Numismatics, January 2019.

In 74 AD the Rome mint produced an extraordinary issue of bronze coinage of dupondii, asses, semisses, and quadrantes with a somewhat Eastern theme. Previously, these coins had been attributed to either Commagene (BMCRE) or Syria (RPC, and doubtfully so in RIC), but more recent scholarship has shown they actually were struck in Rome. The circulation pattern confirms this - out of a total of 112 of the smaller denominations cited by RPC, all but 4 were found in Western Europe. Ted Buttrey confirms 'The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.' But why was this series produced in such a fashion? Buttrey proffers a plausible theory - 'There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero. The dupondius-sized bronze was accompanied by a half-unit with the type of a large, central S C – again signed by Vespasian, and now imitated on the As of the orichalcum series with the wreath of the As of Antioch (RPC I 4849-50). The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.' So, in essence, a very personally important issue for Vespasian.

Curtis Clay has a few objections for Buttrey's theory why the issue was struck. 'As far as I am aware, there is nothing "astonishing" about Vespasian's "signing" of the two coins of Sepphoris. EΠI followed by the governor's name appeared frequently on Roman provincial coins, meaning simply, "Struck while the man named was governor". So there was no evident reason for Vespasian to consider it extraordinary that he had been named as governor of Syria on coins of Sepphoris struck for Nero near the end of his reign (Year 14), and no evident reason why he should have referred to the Sepphoris coins in his orichalcum issue struck at Rome five years later. It seems quite probable that Vespasian never even noticed his name on the coins of Sepphoris, and certainly very few Romans in the West will ever have seen such a coin, though Buttrey thinks the orichalcum coins were struck for circulation in the West in 74 in order to recall precisely those Sepphoris coins with their reference to Vespasian some months before his accession. Why waste coin types on references that were inconsequential, and that nobody was likely to comprehend?

If the orichalcum issue was meant to recall those two coins of Sepphoris, shouldn't it have been struck for Vespasian only, and using only those two rev. types, caduceus between crossed cornucopias and large SC? But that was not the case. Both the caduceus between crossed cornucopias type and the large SC type were struck not only for Vespasian, but also for Titus and Domitian as Caesars. Moreover those were not the only two rev. types of the issue: other coins showed a bust of Antioch with legend ANTIOCHIA , and (on small coins only) the same winged caduceus as on the crossed cornucopias dupondii, but without the cornucopias (see images below). It seems to me highly unlikely that the three main types of this issue, all struck for Titus and Domitian as well as Vespasian, were inspired by and meant to recall the far simpler issue of Sepphoris, using just two changing types (obv. types in this case) and of course naming Vespasian only.'

If Buttrey's argument is wrong it brings us back to the original question - why was an Eastern flavoured coinage struck for circulation in the West? Perhaps the issue may be nothing more than Vespasian paying homage to the part of the world that elevated him.

This As is a fine example of the smaller denomination, nicely centred with a beautiful emerald green patina.
2 commentsDavid Atherton
V1566.jpg
RIC 1566 VespasianÆ As, 4.91g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP•VESP•AVG•P•M•T•P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: S • C in laurel wreath
RIC 1566 (R). BMC 879. RPC 1986 (3 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from eBay, May 2022.

In 74 AD the Rome mint produced an extraordinary issue of bronze coinage of dupondii, asses, semisses, and quadrantes with a somewhat Eastern theme. Previously, these coins had been attributed to either Commagene (BMCRE) or Syria (RPC, and doubtfully so in RIC), but more recent scholarship has shown they actually were struck in Rome. The circulation pattern confirms this - out of a total of 112 of the smaller denominations cited by RPC, all but 4 were found in Western Europe. Ted Buttrey confirms 'The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.' But why was this series produced in such a fashion? Buttrey proffers a plausible theory - 'There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero. The dupondius-sized bronze was accompanied by a half-unit with the type of a large, central S C – again signed by Vespasian, and now imitated on the As of the orichalcum series with the wreath of the As of Antioch (RPC I 4849-50). The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.' So, in essence, a very personally important issue for Vespasian.

A rare variant 'S C' as featuring a right facing portrait paired with a scarce obverse legend. Unusually, the asses of this series were struck in orichalcum not copper and are much smaller than traditional contemporary asses. Missing from the Paris collection.
1 commentsDavid Atherton
V1572.jpg
RIC 1572 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ As, 4.84g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAES•IMP•TR•POT; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: S • C in laurel wreath
RIC 1572 (C). BMC -. BNC 897. RPC 1996 (6 spec.).
Acquired from Sebastian Sänn, September 2022

In 74 AD the Rome mint produced an extraordinary issue of bronze coinage of dupondii, asses, semisses, and quadrantes with a somewhat Eastern theme. Previously, these coins had been attributed to either Commagene (BMCRE) or Syria (RPC, and doubtfully so in RIC), but more recent scholarship has shown they actually were struck in Rome. The circulation pattern confirms this - out of a total of 112 of the smaller denominations cited by RPC, all but 4 were found in Western Europe. Ted Buttrey confirms 'The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.' But why was this series produced in such a fashion? Buttrey proffers a plausible theory - 'Previously the series had been attributed to Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222), then as a likelihood to Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012). The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East. There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero. The dupondius-sized bronze was accompanied by a half-unit with the type of a large, central S C – again signed by Vespasian, and now imitated on the As of the orichalcum series with the wreath of the As of Antioch (RPC I 4849-50). The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.' So, in essence, a very personally important issue for Vespasian.

Curtis Clay has a few objections to Buttrey's theory. 'As far as I am aware, there is nothing "astonishing" about Vespasian's "signing" of the two coins of Sepphoris. EΠI followed by the governor's name appeared frequently on Roman provincial coins, meaning simply, "Struck while the man named was governor". So there was no evident reason for Vespasian to consider it extraordinary that he had been named as governor of Syria on coins of Sepphoris struck for Nero near the end of his reign (Year 14), and no evident reason why he should have referred to the Sepphoris coins in his orichalcum issue struck at Rome five years later. It seems quite probable that Vespasian never even noticed his name on the coins of Sepphoris, and certainly very few Romans in the West will ever have seen such a coin, though Buttrey thinks the orichalcum coins were struck for circulation in the West in 74 in order to recall precisely those Sepphoris coins with their reference to Vespasian some months before his accession. Why waste coin types on references that were inconsequential, and that nobody was likely to comprehend?

If the orichalcum issue was meant to recall those two coins of Sepphoris, shouldn't it have been struck for Vespasian only, and using only those two rev. types, caduceus between crossed cornucopias and large SC? But that was not the case. Both the caduceus between crossed cornucopias type and the large SC type were struck not only for Vespasian, but also for Titus and Domitian as Caesars. Moreover those were not the only two rev. types of the issue: other coins showed a bust of Antioch with legend ANTIOCHIA , and (on small coins only) the same winged caduceus as on the crossed cornucopias dupondii, but without the cornucopias (see images below). It seems to me highly unlikely that the three main types of this issue, all struck for Titus and Domitian as well as Vespasian, were inspired by and meant to recall the far simpler issue of Sepphoris, using just two changing types (obv. types in this case) and of course naming Vespasian only.'

If Buttrey's argument is wrong it brings us back to the original question - why was an Eastern flavoured coinage struck for circulation in the West? Perhaps the issue may be nothing more than Vespasian paying homage to the part of the world that elevated him.

This as is a fine example of the smaller denomination - nicely centred, darkly toned, and sporting a stylish portrait of the young prince.
1 commentsDavid Atherton
V1574.jpg
RIC 1574 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ Semis, 3.31g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAES•IMP•TR•POT; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: ANTIOCHIA; Bust of city-goddess, r.
RIC 1574 (C). BMC -. BNC -. RPC 1997 (10 spec.).
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, January 2020.

Traditionally, the issue this rather interesting semis is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. Ted Buttrey writing in the RIC II.1 Addenda commented extensively on it. Because both the Addenda has yet to see the light of day and T. Buttrey's thoughts on the subject are important (and indeed likely correct), I have largely quoted it in full here with some minor editing.

'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The citations in RPC II are drawn almost entirely from Western collections, and total: Western - 108, Eastern - 4.

The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation. Previously the series had been attributed to Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222), then as a likelihood to Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012).
The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East (while admitting that they are not Eastern, see on the semis the bust of the city-goddess accompanied by the Latin legend ANTIOCHIA, in imitation of the type actually struck there with the Greek legend ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ – SNG Cop Antioch 99-103, 112, etc. ).
There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage. The key to its understanding is the reverse type of the dupondius, two crossed cornuacopiae with a winged caduceus between. It replicates the type of an obscure issue of the Galilean city of Sepphoris, an issue which had been, astonishingly, signed by Vespasian himself (ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑCΙΑΝΟΥ, “on the authority of…”) when on duty there in the last days of Nero.

The whole of this series memorializes not Vespasian the conquering general (IVDAEA CAPTA, VICTORIA AVGVSTI), but the man. His re-use of earlier coin types is well-known; here he re-uses his own, harking back to his career just prior to his final success in seizing the empire. And the series was struck in 74 A.D., co-terminous with the celebration of Vespasian’s first quinquennium.'

I think it quite extraordinary that the Rome mint would produce a coin blatantly featuring a provincial city-goddess that was intended for circulation in the West. Vespasian's fondness for the region that elevated him to the purple must have been strong indeed! The heavy use of dots in the obverse legend is a curiosity as well.

Good style and well centred.
3 commentsDavid Atherton
T504a.jpg
RIC 504 TitusÆ Semis, 4.11g
Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAESAR DIVI VESPAS F AVG; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVD CAP across field; S C in field; Palm tree; to l., Judaea std. l. on arms; to r., yoke
RIC 504 (R). BMC 259. BNC 275. RPC -. Hendin 1598.
Acquired from Herakles, March 2021. Ex Forvm Ancient Coins. Ex Ancient Imports.

An unidentified Eastern mint struck coins for Titus sometime between 80-81. The style (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits, and massive reverse figures), unique obverse legends (DIVI VESP F for Titus), and uncommon fabric (flat, almost convex flans) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region during Titus' reign prompted a localised imperial issue. The striking of imperial bronze outside of Rome was an exceptional step at the time considering the last imperial branch mint at Lugdunum had shuttered late in Vespasian's reign. The issue consisted of sestertii, dupondii, asses, and semisses which copied types struck at Rome. This rare Judaea Capta, reminiscent of the ones struck for the sestertii, is the only reverse type that was produced for the semis. Oddly not listed in RPC.
3 commentsDavid Atherton
Vespasian RIC 15 obv and rev.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Vespasian Judaea Capta, RIC 15Vespasian
AR Denarius
Rome Mint. 69-70 A.D.
18.2mm. 3.09g.
Die Alignment: 180 degrees
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG - Laureate bust right.
Rev: [NO LEGEND] - Captive Jewess seated right, in the attitude of mourning, trophy of captured arms behind.
Ex: IVDAEA
Ref: RIC 15. BMC 35. Sear 2296. Cohen 226. RSC 226. VM 32.
Notes: Ex Barry P. Murphy. This type celebrates the success of Vespasian and Titus in quelling the First Jewish Revolt. Coins commemorating this event are referred to as "Judea Capta issues. - Excerpt taken from FORVM catalogue.
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ROMAN EMPIRE, Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius. “Judaea Capta” commemorative. Rome mint. Struck AD 71Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 22.5 g,). “Judaea Capta” commemorative. Rome mint. Struck AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right / IVDAEA CAPTA, palm tree; to left, Vespasian standing right, with left foot set on helmet, holding vertical spear in right hand and cradling parazonium in left arm; to right, Jewess seated right on cuirass, propping her head on her left hand in attitude of mourning; S C in exergue.
RIC II 427; Hendin 1543 (Lyon); BMCRE 543-4; BN 498

Judaea Capta coins (also spelled Judea Capta) were a series of commemorative coins originally issued by the Roman Emperor Vespasian to celebrate the capture of Judaea and the destruction of the Jewish Second Temple by his son Titus in 70 AD during the First Jewish Revolt. There are several variants of the coinage. The reverse of the coins shows a female (representing Jerusalem?) seated right in an attitude of mourning at the base of a palm tree, with either a captive bearded male (representing Judah?) standing left, with his hands bound behind his back, or the standing figure of the victorious emperor, or the goddess Victory, with a trophy of weapons, shields, and helmets to the left.

The female figure may reflect the prophecy of Isaiah 3:8, 25-26: "For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen ... Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground".

The Judaea Capta coins were struck for 25 years under Vespasian and his two sons who succeeded him as Emperor - Titus and Domitian. These commemorative coins were issued in bronze, silver and gold by mints in Rome, throughout the Roman Empire, and in Judaea itself. They were issued in every denomination, and at least 48 different types are known.

Only bronze 'Judaea Capta' coins were struck in Caesarea, in the defeated Roman province of Judea. These coins are much cruder than the Roman issues, and the inscriptions are in Greek rather than Latin. The designs feature the Goddess Nike writing on a shield, Minerva with a spear, shield, trophy and palm tree, etc. Most such coins were issued during the reign of the Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD).
Adrian W
titus_samaria.jpg
Samaria; AE 21 Titus, 24 June 79 - 13 September 81 A.D., Judea Capta, Caesarea, Samaria. Bronze AE 20, Hendin 743, RPC II 2311, SNG ANS 466, Meshorer 2, aVF, Caesarea mint, 7.404g, 21.4mm, 30o, as Caesar, 71-73 A.D.; obverse “ΑΨΤΟΚΠ ΤΙΤΟΧ ΚΑΙ”C“ΑΠ”, laureate head right; reverse “ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ ΕΑΛΩΚΥΙΑΣ”, Nike (Victory), nude to waist, standing right, foot on helmet, writing on a shield hung on a palm tree and also supported on her left knee. Judaea Capta issue minted at Caesarea, Samaria. Ex FORVMPodiceps
Titus_as_Judaea_Capta.jpg
Titus As (IVDAEA CAPTA, RIC II 1268) v.1TITUS as Caesar, AD 69-79
AE As (29.56mm, 9.42g, 6h)
Struck AD 77/8. Lugdunum mint
Obverse: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR, laureate head of Titus right
Reverse: IVDAEA CAPTA, Judaea seated right mourning under palm tree, shields and vexillum behind, S C in exergue
References: RIC II 1268, RCV 2475

Warm brown patina with smoothly worn surfaces. This is one of many types commemorating the defeat of the Jewish rebels by Vespasian and his son Titus during the First Jewish War (AD 66-73)
3 commentsCPK
triciivesp784OR.jpg
Titus As, RIC II 784 (Vesp.)Lyons mint, Titus As, 77-8 A.D. AE, 26mm 9.78g, RIC II 784 (Vesp.), Cohen 117-118, BMC 862
O: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR, laureate head right
R: IVDAEA CAPTA, Judaea seated right under palm-tree, captured arms behind, SC in ex.
1 commentscasata137ec
titus_capta.gif
Titus Æ As, Judea CaptaTitus Æ As. Lyons mint, 77-78 A.D. T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR, Laureate bust right / IVDAEA CAPTA, Judaea seated right under palm-tree, captured arms behind, SC in ex. 7.7g. Cohen 117Holding_History
J19-Titus Capta.jpg
Titus, Æ, Judaea Capta, 79-81 CEBronze Judaea Capta of 25.5 mm, 13.28 grams. Struck at the mint of Caesarea Maritima.

Obverse: Laureate bust of Titus to right, AVTOKP TITOE KAIEAP around.
Reverse: IOYAIAE EAAWKYIAE (“Judaea Vanquished” in Greek) around, field trophy of arms in center, with weeping Jewish captive, hands bound behind him, kneels left beneath pelta-shaped trophy and arms scattered around beneath.

Reference: Hendin 745, SNG ANS 477-482; AJC II, Supp. VII, p. 289, #5, TJC-384/384a, Bromberg 278.

Added to collection: May 29, 2005
Daniel F
vespasian-sestertius.jpg
Vespasian AE Sestertius, IVDEA CAPTAVespasian AE Sestertius. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG PM TR P P P COS III, Laureate bust right / IVDAEA CAPTA, Jewess seated mourning to the right under palm tree. Jewish captive standing behind with arms bound. RIC 425, BMC 539v, Cohen 233, Hendin 773Holding_History
Vespasian_RIC_II_0004.jpg
Vespasian RIC II 0004Vespasian. 69-79 A.D. Rome Mint Dec. 69 A.D. to early 70 A.D. (3.28g, 16.7m, 6h). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head r. Rev: IVDAEA in ex., Judaea seated r, hands bound behind back to r. of palm tree. RIC II 4, R, BMC 43, RSC 229. Ex David Atherton.

Among the first issues for the new emperor, this coin shows Vespasian’s greatest victory, that of the Jewish War. This coin is less common that the type with Judea next to a trophy, and the palm also a symbol of Judaea. This specimen has a tight flan, but good detail on the reverse. This was issued before Vespasian’s arrival in Rome from Egypt when the die engravers were still at a loss for his true appearance.
5 commentsLucas H
Domitian_Germania_Capta_Sestertius.png
Victory Standing over Captive: Domitian "Germania Capta" SestertiusRoman Imperial. Domitian AE Sestertius (35mm, 23.3g, 6h), Rome, 85 CE.
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P. Laureate bust of Domitian right, aegis over shoulder.
Rev: S-C. Victory standing right, left foot on helmet, inscribing DE / GER in two lines on shield attached to trophy; mourning female (Germania) seated right.
Ref: RIC II.1 365 [OCRE LINK]
Prov: Ex Ben Mous, prev. Washington state private coll.

Notes: After Judaea Capta, future emperors found it necessary to declare comparable victories & announce them on coinage. Domitian's first major victory had been over the Chatti, extending the frontier beyond the Rhine, by early 83 CE, when he held a triumph & began using the title "Germanicus."
1 commentsCurtis JJ
DomJudCap~0.jpg
[18H749] Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Judaea Capta, Caesarea, SamariaDomitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Judaea Capta, Caesarea, Samaria. Bronze AE 23, Hendin 749, BMC 42-52, SNG ANS 492- 494, F, Caesarea, 9.012g, 21.9mm, 0o, obverse IMP DOMITIANVS CAES AVG GERMANICVS, laureate head left; reverse no legend, helmeted figure of Athena standing left, holding shield and spear, placing helmet on trophy, consisting of cuirass, two shields and spears, two crossed greaves at bottom.

Flavius Domitianus was an effective emperor who spent much of his time in the provinces preserving order. Despite his effectiveness, he was extremely unpopular with the senatorial class at Rome. He appointed persons from the lower classes to positions of authority. When asked to prohibit execution of senators without a trial by peers he declined, thus dispelling the old illusions of republican government and exposing the true autocracy of his rule. Domitian's reign was marred by paranoia and cruelty in his latter years and he executed many Senators. In 96 A.D. he was stabbed to death in a plot, allegedly involving his own wife.

After Herod's death, Caesaria was the seat of the Roman procurator and capital of Roman Palestine for about 500 years. A riot in 66 A.D. between Syrians and Jews in the city led to the First Jewish revolt and the Judaea Capta of Titus. Paul was delivered to Caesaria when his life was threatened in Jerusalem (Acts 9:30). From Caesaria, Paul departed to Tarsus, his birthplace. Paul met the church in Caesarea (Acts 18:22; 21:8,16). Finally, Paul was taken prisoner (Acts 23:23,33) and returned to Caesaria where he was tried before Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 25:1-4; 24:6-13).

See: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/index.asp?vpar=135&pos=0
Cleisthenes
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