Judaea Capta Redux

My latest addition is an interesting example of the common Judaea Capta denarius. When acquiring duplicates I always look for something about a piece that is different from what I already have. I think this fits the bill.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 2.80g
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
RIC 2 (C2). BMC 35. RSC 226.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA in ex.; Jewess (as type of Judaea), draped and veiled, seated r. on ground in attitude of mourning, legs extended, head resting on l. hand, which is propped on knees, r. arm on lap; behind, trophy, consisting of helmet, cuirass, oblong and round shield, greaves, and two round shields
Acquired from eBay, August 2018.

My second example of the common Judaea Capta denarius. Here Judaea's legs are extended instead of the more commonly seen knees drawn up. Mattingly notes the distinction in the BMCRE II catalogue, it is largely uncommented upon elsewhere. Most likely these denarii commemorating the defeat of the Jews in the Judaean War were struck after news had reached Rome of Titus' capture of Jerusalem in late August 70. The portraits still do not resemble Vespasian, who arrived in Rome in October 70. Vespasian had to have been very proud of his Judaean victory because this Capta denarius type was one of the first struck in Rome in such vast quantities. The Flavian propaganda resulting from this war proved to be very valuable in legitimising the dynasty's reign. Although a very common type, these command premium prices in trade because of the Judaean War connection.

Here is my other specimen featuring a heftier Vespasian with longer hair and a Judaea with knees drawn up.


Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.35g
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
RIC 2 (C2). BMC 35. RSC 226.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA in ex.; Jewess (as type of Judaea), draped and veiled, seated r. on ground in attitude of mourning, knees drawn up, head resting on l. hand, which is propped on knees, r. arm on lap; behind, trophy, consisting of helmet, cuirass, oblong and round shield, greaves, and two round shields
Acquired from Glenn W. Woods, October 2003.

Post your 'Capta' types, or anything you feel is relevant.

 

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Nice writeup @David Atherton

I happen to have one of the "legs extended" type. In fact, you pointed this out to me.

 

Sweet addition!

 

Very nice pick up David and some interesting observations.

 

Interesting the things one learns from you, David.
Extended vs. drawn-up legs. I never would have thought of it.

I went check mine, of course. She is the common, drawn-up type.

Is this observed also on the much less common Judaea Capta denarius of the "palm tree" type?

 

Very nice David. I need to find one of these for my collection.

 

David, your attention to detail inspires me to pay more attention to the coins I already have. I have a bad habit of constantly thinking about my next coin rather than appreciating the ones in hand. I guess I have a bit of a conqueror mentality.

 

It looks like the die-engraver got carried away with adding the cross-bars to the E and A's in the exergue and added one to the V, too, making it look like an upside-down A.

 

Maybe it is an upside down "A" ?

 

I was researching the reverse design when you had timely posted your example. Interesting to note the rarer variant with palm tree instead of trophy normally shows Judaea with legs extended. I believe the palm variant came before the trophy.

 

I like your reverse. Judaea instead of 'mourning' seems to be invoking help from the heavens.

 

The chase definitely has great appeal, but taking stock of what you have is quite enjoyable! That's when you can dig into the weeds and find something you may have missed.

 

Interesting post. I hadn't realized there were two types of the Judaea Capta denarius with slightly different reverses. I have the same type as your new one:



VESPASIAN 69 - 71 A.D.
AR Denarius (3.22 g.), Rome 69 - 70 A.D. RIC 2
IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian REV. IVDAEA IN EXERGUE, mourning Jewess seated under trophy

Not sure you can discern whether or not the captive's legs are bent or straight on the sestertius:



VESPASIAN
AE Sestertius (26.01 g.) Rome 71 A.D. RIC 167
IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Laureate head of Vesp. r. Rev IVDA - EA CAPTA S C Jewess seated r., Vesp. standing r. holding spear & parazonium.

 

Here is the palm tree variant.


Vespasian
AR Denarius, 2.71g
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
RIC 4 (R). BMC 43. RSC 229.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA in ex.; Jewess (as type of Judaea), draped and veiled, seated r. on ground, head inclined downwards, l. knee drawn up, hand bound behind back and fastened to palm-tree
Acquired from Zuzim Judaea, May 2012.

 

David Atherton, the extended legs variety is a new type to me also, thanks for sharing. Attached below are photos of my more common type with a good a pretty good portrait of Vespasian.

 

I like the slim portrait on it, nice find!

 

IdesOfMarch01, Wow! That sestertius is a jewel.

 

Thanks Mat. The portrait style is also what attracted me to the piece. Most of these tend to have the longer hair style.

 

Hmmm. I guess I have the legs extended version too.

 

Nice pick up David!

I've shown my Vespasian several times. Don't think I've ever shown my Titus Capta. Worn but it's all there...



T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT
Laureate head of Titus right

Titus sanding right, left foot on helmet, holding spear and parazonium, Palm tree before him at foot of which Judaea, as a mourning captive, is seated right, on ground

Rome 72 AD
3.32g

RIC II 369 (R2)

Ex-Canadian Coin