Fantastic IVDAEA CAPTA Sestertius
Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 26.22 g, 6h). “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, S C in exergue, palm tree; to left, Vespasian standing right, left foot on helmet, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left; to right, Judaea seated right on cuirass, right hand on knee, left hand propping her head in attitude of mourning. RIC II 167; Hendin 1504; BMCRE 543-4; BN 497-8. Untouched jade-green patina. Superb EF. Among the finest examples extant.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (16 May 2007), lot 679 (realized SF 45,000).
This magnificent “Judaea Capta” sestertius is part of the propaganda campaign touting Vespasian’s victory in Judaea. The figure of Judaea is shown in an attitude of mourning, while the triumphant Vespasian is shown in a general’s armor. Such images helped consolidate Vespasian’s hold on power in the wake of the disastrous civil wars of AD 69.
