Here's the third of three denarii purchases I made this week. Most of the similar denarii that I've seen online feature Victory advancing toward the left. Does that indicate that this version is more scarce? Post your Judaea Capta coins or anything related.
Nice one, Deacon Ray. Mine has a lot more wear - it came in an oddball eBay lot from 2013. I was delighted when I found it was a Judea Capta series - now if I can just find one with Judea mourning for five bucks: Roman Empire - Denarius Vespasian (72-73 A.D.) IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, laureate head right / VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory advancing right with palm, placing wreath on standard (Judea Capta series) RIC 362, (RIC [1962] 52), RSC 618, BMC 74, Hendin 771.
Good example! This is a very common type struck in 72-73 soon after Vespasian and Titus' joint triumph. Here is mine. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.42g Rome Mint, 72-73 AD RIC 362 (C2). BMC 74. RSC 618. Obv: IMP CAES VESP A-VG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory, draped, advancing r., holding palm over l. shoulder in l. hand and with r. about to place wreath on a standard set in ground on r. Acquired from Incitatus Coins, July 2004.
Does this become a Judaea Capta coin because Vespasian had no military actions anywhere in the empire except for Judaea? To me, a coin needs some word or some symbol that would suggest Judaea before it should be sold as a Judaea Capta coin. When I think of the victories of Vespasian, I think of the civil wars first. He was not a one theater or war sort of emperor.
Good question. Personally I don't regard this general Victory and trophy as a Judaea Capta type. Unless there is a specific reference to Judaea I am sceptical. Many dealers disagree hoping to cash in. Even Mattingly does not refer to this as a Judaea Capta type.
