Obolos 31

Vespasian, 69-79. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 22.82 g, 6 h), Rome, 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. IVDAEA CAPTA / S C On the right, mourning Jewess seated to right at the base of a palm tree; to left, the emperor standing right, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left, and with his left foot resting on a helmet set on the ground. BMC 546. BN 497-8. Cohen 239. Hendin 6th edition, 6534a. RIC II.1, 167. Strong portrait of Vespasian. Stabilized emerald patina and somewhat weakly struck on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

From an American collection.

This remarkable coin, with its noble head of Vespasian, was part of one of the festive issues struck to commemorate the effective end of the Jewish War (it actually didn't end until the fall of Masada in 74) and shows either the emperor Vespasian (or perhaps the actual victor, Titus) standing and facing a palm tree (symbol of Judaea) and mourning Jewess. The reason why the victory over the Jews was so important to Vespasian and his sons was simple: their more important victory, the one over Vitellius that both ended the Roman Civil Wars and established the Flavians on the imperial throne, was against Roman citizens, and, thus, could not be celebrated.