Roman Empire, Vespasian (AD 69-79), AR Denarius, ‘Judaea Capta’ type, IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS

Description

**Roman Empire, Vespasian (AD 69-79)**
**AR Denarius, ‘Judaea Capta’ type**

**Obverse:**
– **Legend:** IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
– **Design:** Laureate head of Emperor Vespasian facing right.
– **Details:** The obverse features a portrait of Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty. The legend translates to “Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus,” emphasizing his military authority (Imperator), his role as Caesar (a title adopted by Roman emperors), and his status as Augustus, the revered emperor.

**Reverse:**
– **Legend:** IVDAEA in exergue
– **Design:** A military trophy is displayed, with Judaea personified as a mourning woman seated to the right. Her head is resting in her hand, a common gesture of sorrow in ancient iconography.
– **Details:** The reverse commemorates the Roman victory in the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 AD), which culminated in the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. The figure of Judaea, seated in mourning, symbolizes the defeat and subjugation of the Jewish people. The inscription “IVDAEA” in the exergue directly names the defeated region, making this type a powerful piece of propaganda celebrating Vespasian’s and his son Titus’s military success.

**Condition:**
– **Weight:** 3.00g
– **Characteristics:** The coin is flattened and shows signs of wear, grading as fine. Despite this, the imagery and inscriptions remain discernible, preserving the historical significance of this type.

**Historical Context:**
The “Judaea Capta” coin series was issued by Vespasian to commemorate the Roman victory in Judaea. These coins were struck in large quantities and served as a form of imperial propaganda, reminding Roman citizens and the empire’s subjects of the power and reach of Rome. Vespasian’s triumph over the Jewish revolt was a major event in his reign, helping to secure his position as emperor after the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). The imagery of the mourning Judaea captured on this coin became iconic, symbolizing the suppression of the revolt and the establishment of Roman order.