Vespasian AR Denarius 70 CE

Vespasian AR Denarius. Lugdunum. 70 CE

(16.5mm 3.04g)

Obv: Head laureate right; IMP CAESAR VESPASIAVS AVG TR P.

Rev: Palm tree; to left Judea standing left; hands bound in front; IVDEA DEVICTA

RIC 1120; BMC 388; RSC 243

Purchased from INumis August 3, 2020.

Here is another special coin. The IVDAEA CAPTA coins for Flavian coins are extremely popular and very sought after. The most common is RIC 2 for Vespasian which features a trophy of arms and a Jewish captive. It can be argued that the conquest of Judea by the Romans changed the course of history. The biblical connection is one of the reasons the Judea capta coins are so sought after and eagerly collected. This coin does not state Judea Capta. The coin above is a rare variant of the Judea Capta coins.

The reverse shows a standing Jewish captive and a palm tree. The legend reads IVDAEA DEVICTA or Judea conquered. The Flavian emperors used these coins to emphasize the victory of Rome over Judea. In fact this message was delivered for many years after the victory. The story is that there was a parade in Rome that displayed the spoils plundered from Judea.

This type is elusive. They do not come up for sale very often. When they do there is much competition for them. The reason is the Flavian collectors and the collectors of biblical coins both want these coins. I like this type more than the more common types. Unfortunately, the rarity of this type means it would be difficult to add another,