I don't know why it took me so long to acquire an example of this most interesting type - a bronze coin celebrating the Roman victory in the Jewish War struck in the very region the conflict took place. Talk about a coin steeped in history! Titus as Caesar Æ24, 11.84g Caesarea Maritima mint, 71-73 AD Obv: AYTOKP TITOΣ KAIΣAP; Head of Titus, laureate, r. Rev: IOYΔAIAΣ EAΛWKYAΣ; trophy; at foot, l., a crouching captive with arms tied behind; on r., a pelta-shaped shield RPC 2313. Hendin 1448. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, October 2019. The Roman authorities in Judaea struck a localised 'Judaea Capta' issue at the Caeserea Maritima mint early in the reign of Vespasian. The series, featuring the reverse legend 'Judaea Capta' in Greek, strongly echoes the imperial bronze types produced at Rome and Lugdunum. The Judaean issue likely dates not long after the imperial ones were struck in the spring and summer of 71. D. Barag speculates this captive and trophy type may have come a bit later, perhaps sometime in 72 or 73. It is interesting to note this coin would have circulated in the very region where the Jewish Revolt took place. The emphasis on Titus Caesar the conqueror of Jerusalem is readily evident. Of historical note: This coin likely was minted around the time of the siege of Masada in 73. When most collectors think of the Judaea Capta coinage this type doesn't leap to mind, but it should. Feel free to post any coins that are a bit 'outside of the box'. I dedicate this post to @Deacon Ray who has inspired me to crack open Hendin's Guide to Biblical Coins more often.
Nice pick-up David. I'll just post a Titus example: TITUS Fouree Denarius OBVERSE: CAES VESPAS AVG TR P COS III, Laureate head right REVERSE: Foreparts of two capricorns springing in opposing directions, supporting round shield inscribed S C; globe below Struck at Rome, 80/1AD 3.06g, 18mm RIC II 357 (Titus); RSC 497
Congrats David, as you say the history in that area and at that time make that coin a fantastic catch.
Domitian, 81 - 96 AD AE24, Judaea, Caesarea Maritima Mint, 12.56 grams Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM TR P XII, Laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: IMP XXIII COS XVI CENS P P P, Victory standing left holding wreath and trophy. RPC2308 // Hendin145A // TJC395
I suspect the guys who struck these were not happy with their jobs. Did the Judaean mints rely on slave labor from foreigners or were these made by Jewish workers?
Caesarea Maritima's Jews were massacred by the city's Greek population at the beginning of the Jewish revolt. If there were any Jews remaining in the city at the time these coins were struck they most likely were slaves. It's quite possible the Roman administration could have employed a few of them for work at the mint, although most of the mint workers were probably skilled Greeks who were hired for the Job. Coin production at this mint was a seasonal activity and could have been carried out by a combination of contract and slave labour. It's not unthinkable to envision Jewish slaves performing some of the menial tasks.
Very nice coin David! I've previously posted this coin of Domitian from the same city, which Hendin believes is also a Judaea Capta issue: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/judaea-capta-of-domitian.301534/
I like the Captive and Arms issues as well as the other Judaea Capta's in the series and have yet still to acquire one . . . so many coins, so few funds! I do have a second year Jewish War prutah which is often referred to as the "Masada Coin" since many of them were found there at the fortress. First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D. Æ Prutah of the second year and struck 67/68 A.D. Obv: Amphora; Paleo-Hebrew inscription "Year Two” Rev: Vine leaf on small branch; Paleo-Hebrew inscription: “The Freedom of Zion” 15.3 mm, 2.08 grams Reference: Hendin-1360 Ex. Amphora Coins (David Hendin) 4/2018 and I was lucky enough to visit Caesarea Maritima back in '06. I guess the (non-slave) mint workers could have taken in a show at the theater after a long days worth of work:
Great addition to your collection David! Many thanks for the thoughtful dedication! I have one for you too. When I purchased this Tetradrachm from Antioch, I was wondering if David Atherton had one. Your posts have been a major influence and inspiration for me also. When I was creating this graphic, I noticed that I had it mislabeled Æ on my printed poster. Here’s my most valuable Judaean coin from the Roman/Judaean War.
Hi @David Atherton, I am reviving the thread to share a coin that pairs nicely with yours. This localised 'Judaea Capta', a type IIb from Barag. It does spark thought about the use of these coins : the "captured" issuing & spending coins acknowledging that they are "captured". Judaea, Titus, As Caesar 69-79 CE, Æ 21mm, Caesarea Maritima, Obv: AYTOKP TITOC]KAIΣAP, laureate head to right / Rev: [IOYΔAIAC] [ЄA]ΛѠKYIAC, Victory standing to right, with foot on helmet, inscribing [AYT KAIΣ] on shield resting on knee; palm behind Ref: RPC II 2312 Size: 8.42g, 21mm, 12h. 22. the footnote references CM Kraay argument that this coin echoing the Roman issues would not have appeared until Autumn of 71 Barag, D. “The Palestinian ‘Judaea Capta’ Coins of Vespasian and Titus and the Era on the Coins of Agrippa II Minted under the Flavians.” The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-) 18 (138) (1978): 14–23.
Nice addition, @David Atherton! A Judaea Capta coin minted in Judaea is an interesting specimen. I believe your coin is Hendin 1449 (not 1448). [Hendin 1448 is similar to the one @Sulla80 posted above, but it has no palm tree on the reverse, and Victory is writing on a shield resting on her knee (vs hanging on a tree)]. @Sulla80, your coin appears to have Victory writing from a shield hung on the tree, which would be Hendin 1446 GBC 5th Ed and RPC II 2311 (not 2312). (Agree that it is a Barag type II.) Note that in both RPC II 2311 and RPC II 2312, Victory has a knee raised with a foot on a helmet, but for RPC 2311, the palm tree is directly behind the shield as on your coin (indicating that the shield is hung on the tree), instead of to the right as in RPC 2312. At least that's how I match up the reference works for these attributions- please let me know if I'm missing something. Here's an example from my collection of Hendin 1449 GBC 5 (Hendin 6476 GBC 6); RPC II 2313: Judaea. Caesarea Maritima. Titus (79-81 AD). AE (24 mm, 12.88 g). Judaea Capta issue. AY[TOKPT]ITOΣ KAIΣAP, laureate head of Titus right. Dotted border. / IOYΔ[AI]AΣ EAΛWKYIAΣ, Judaea seated facing left in attitude of mourning at left of base of trophy, her arms tied behind; pelta-shaped shield to right of base of trophy. RPC II 2313; Meshorer 384; Hendin 1449 GBC 5.
@Carl Wilmont Thanks for pointing that out - your are right, looks like I linked the right coin and cited the wrong number. It should be RPC II 2311 (not 2312). I like your and David's RPC 2313s.
Thanks, @Sulla80. I like the portrait and strike/relief on your RPC II 2311. Here are shields "on and off the trees" from my collection (RPC II 2311 and 2312; Hendin 1446 & 1447)- more "Judaean Judaea Captas!" Judaea. Caesarea Maritima. Titus, 79-81 AD. AE (19 mm, 8.51). Judaea Capta issue. [AΥTOKP TITOΣ K]AIΣAP (of Emperor Titus Caesar); laureate head of Titus to right / [Ι]ΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ ΕΑΛWKΥAΣ (Judaea captured); Nike stands right with left foot on helmet; she writes [AΥT T KAIC] with right hand on shield hanging from palm tree. Meshorer 381a; RPC II 2311; Hendin 1446 (5th Ed); Hendin 6473 (6th Ed). Judaea. Caesarea Maritima. Titus, 79-81 AD. AE (21 mm, 5.55 gm). Judaea Capta issue. AYTOKP TIT OΣ KAIΣΑ[Ρ] (of Emperor Titus Caesar) around laureate head of Titus right. / IOYΔΑΙΑΣ Ε[ΑΛWΚΥΙ]ΑΣ (Judaea captured) around a winged Victory/Nike standing right, left foot on helmet, writing on a shield supported by her left knee; in the background a palm tree to right. Meshorer 382; RPC II 2312; Hendin 1447 (5th Ed); Hendin 6474 (6th Ed).
Yes, 1449 it is. Correctly attributed in my collection but not in the OP post. Thanks for pointing out the typo.
