Judaea or Britannia Capta?

[David Atherton]

Hello all,

I received this historical coin of Titus over the weekend:

RIC 30, BMC 15, RSC 274
Rome Mint, 79 AD
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P; Trophy, below captive kneeling r.


A 'Capta' type that may alternately be a Judaea or Britannia type. Mattingly in the BMCRE (BMC 2.xli) interprets these types of Titus as Augustus as referring to Britannia and Agricola's campaigns in Northern England and Scotland. Jane M. Cody in the book 'Flavian Rome' (pg. 111) agrees with Mattingly, citing the differences in shield and trophy designs with the standard Judaea Capta types. Confusingly, Mattingly states that this type issued for Titus as Caesar under Vespasian refers to Judaea while Cody believes both issues were minted for victories in Britain because of identical composition and detail.

Personally I think it commemorates the victories in Britain. It would be odd if the Flavian expansion going on in that province was not celebrated on the coinage.

[Diederik]

I dare not say what victory was celebrated, but for the Flavians it was important to show their strength, as they were clearly aiming to become the new 'dynasts' after the Julio-Claudian period that lasted a century.
I find the coin very interesting in that respect.
Nice buy!


Frans

[Salem Alshdaifat]

I always consider this Ajudaea Capta type.
regards
Salem

[Akropolis]

"I always consider this Ajudaea Capta type."

So does David Hendin.

PeteB