120, Lot: 92. Estimate $300. Sold for $271. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

VESPASIAN. 69-79 AD. Æ Sestertius (30mm, 25.72 g). Rome mint. Struck 71 AD. Radiate head right / Pax standing right, holding branch in left hand, and with torch in right, she sets fire to a pile of arms on ground; to left, statue of Minerva on column; to right, garlanded and lighted altar. RIC II 439; BMCRE 553; Cohen 336. Fine, dark brown surfaces, some roughness.

From the Tony Hardy Collection.

This most unorthodox representation of Pax belongs to the large and important series of aes issued in 71 AD, the year which witnessed the joint triumph of Vespasian and Titus through the streets of Rome in celebration of their victory in Judaea. The goddess of peace here holds a flaming torch with which she sets fire to a heap of arms, the spoils of Rome's defeated enemies. This symbolic act was carried out in fulfillment of a vow undertaken to Rome's principal deities of war, Mars and Minerva. A statue of the latter appears atop a column accompanying the scene of celebration.