Titus' Proudest Moment

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Mar 25, 2019.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    I'm really happy to have recently acquired this Titus Caesar Judaea Capta as. A decent example with a rich dark patina. Unfortunately the reverse strike is off-centre.

    V1268sm.jpg

    Titus as Caesar
    Æ As, 9.35g
    Lyon mint, 77-78 AD (Vespasian)
    RIC 1268 (C2). BMC 862.
    Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.; globe at point of bust
    Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r.; to l. of tree, arms
    Acquired from GB Collection, March 2019.

    The importance of the Jewish War to the Flavian dynasty cannot be overestimated. It provided much needed legitimacy for the imperial rule of 'new men'. This common as struck for Titus Caesar nearly eight years after the fall of Jerusalem is ample evidence of the dynasty's continued reliance on the propaganda value of 'Judaea Capta'. It would continue to be Titus' calling card even after he became emperor a year or so later. This coin was struck in Lugdunum (Lyon) in a fairly large issue that presumably addressed a shortage of bronze coinage in the Western provinces.

    'Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust
    The faithless column and the crumbling bust;
    Huge moles, whose shadow stretched from shore to shore,
    Their ruins perished, and their place no more!
    Convinced, she now contracts her vast design,
    And all her triumphs shrink into a coin.
    A narrow orb each crowded conquest keeps,
    Beneath her palm here sad Judea weeps.' -
    Alexander Pope, To Mr. Addison, Occasioned by his Dialogues on Medals II. 19-26

    Post your propaganda pieces!
     
    Pellinore, Andres2, Marsman and 11 others like this.
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  3. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    I thought you already had a Titus Judaea Capta as, David? but maybe I am getting it confusing with someone else.

    At any rate, congratulations on finding this nice coin!:).
    It hardly gets any more historical that a Judaea Capta coin.

    I am equally happy with my piece, even if well worn, which I have owned for many years.

    Titus Judaea Capta As OBV1 N - 1.jpg Titus Judaea Capta As REV1 N - 1.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2019
  4. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coins, @David Atherton and @Eduard , and certainly ones every Roman collector dreams about acquiring at a good price! Many Roman coins are propaganda pieces, particularly when it comes to military victories. Here's Tacitus' "I kicked the Goths' butt" coin:
    [​IMG]
    Tacitus, AD 275-276.
    Roman billon antoninianus, 3.57 gm, 21.1 mm.
    Ticinum, AD 276.
    Obv: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: VICTORIA GOTTHI, Victoria standing left, holding wreath and palm; P in exergue.
    Refs: RIC 172; Cohen 158; Sear 11821; Hunter 59; CBN 1676.
     
  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    A fine addition to your bronzes, David.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  6. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Pupienus' sestertius with VICTORIA AVGG on the reverse referencing the short-lived victory over Maximinus Thrax.

    pupienus1.jpg

    pupienus2.jpg
     
  7. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I personally do not care about the centering on that coin, it is a lovely example. Congrats on adding this one to your collection.
     
    David Atherton and PeteB like this.
  8. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Very nice historical coin with a great portrait. Congrats David.
     
    David Atherton and Eduard like this.
  9. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    This is my first example. And about time I got one!
     
  10. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Great coin. I'd love to score a JVDAEA CAPTA type for less than an arm and a leg. I've got to keep looking.
     
    Jay GT4 and David Atherton like this.
  11. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    This Titus Caesar Judaea Capta along with most of the other Captas I have are all pretty fairly common coins. It's a case of high demand = high price!
     
    Jay GT4 and ancient coin hunter like this.
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