A Judaea Capta From the Land of Judaea

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    For quite sometime I've been wanting to add one of these fairly common Judaean 'Judaea Capta' bronzes struck at Caeserea Maritima soon after the end of the Jewish War. Most of them come worn and in fairly crude style, looking for an example in fine style and condition was a chore - but this one I believe meets both of those criteria.


    RPC2312.jpg
    Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
    Æ21, 6.93g
    Caesarea Maritima mint, 71-73 AD
    Obv: AYTOKP TITOΣ KAIΣAP; Head of Titus, laureate, r.
    Rev: ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑΣ ΕΑΛWΚΥΙΑΣ; Nike standing to r., foot on helmet, supporting shield on her l. knee and writing on it with her r. hand; on r. palm tree
    RPC 2312 (15 spec.). Hendin 1447.
    Acquired from Zuzim, January 2021.

    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. 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 apparent. Unusually, this specimen is struck in very fine style, perhaps the handiwork of a particularly talented engraver. This is the slightly less common variant with the shield resting on Victory's knee rather than mounted on the palm tree.

    Feel free to post your 'fine style' provincials.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2021
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  3. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I love the reverse on that one! Great coin
     
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  4. Carl Wilmont

    Carl Wilmont Well-Known Member

    Nice addition, @David Atherton! I have a Judaean coin with a similar reverse that was minted under Agrippa II with Domitian on the obverse. It was the first coin that I purchased that was in a slab- I will probably break it out and photograph it at some point (I would consider it to be at or approaching "fine style," and it was graded Choice VF). Here's another Judaean coin struck by Agrippa II (this one under Nero) that may fit your category request for posts. I'm not sure about where it might grade; but I like the style of the portrait, the reverse legend is clear, and it has a great provenance.

    upload_2021-2-10_22-56-57.png

    Agrippa II (49/50-94/95 AD), under Nero (54-68 AD).
    AE (Bronze, 23.4 mm, 14.21 g).
    Obverse: Laureate head of Nero right.
    Reverse: EΠI/BACIΛE/AΓPIΠΠ/NEPΩ/NIE (in the time of King Agrippa in Neronias) in five lines within wreath.
    RPC 4988; Meshorer 129; Hendin 1273; TJC 129; RPC 4988.
    Ex David Hendin, Ex S. Moussaieff Collection
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
  5. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Here's one from nearby Samaria, engraved in "reasonably fine style for that particular mint":

    [​IMG]
    Faustina II, AD 147-175.
    Roman provincial Æ 26.85 mm, 13.64 g, 12 h.
    Samaria, Neapolis, AD 159/160.
    Obv: ΦΑVCΤЄΙΝΑ CЄΒ ЄVCЄ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓ, diademed and draped bust, right.
    Rev: ΦΛ ΝЄΑCΠΟΛЄѠ CVΡΙΑC ΠΑΛΑΙCΤΙ, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; year ЄΤ ΠΗ.
    Refs: RPC IV.3, 6340 (temporary); Lindgren A2431B; SNG ANS 973; Hendin 880; Rosenberger 20.
    Notes: The obverse titulature, ΦΑVCΤЄΙΝΑ CЄΒ ЄVCЄ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓ, is translated as "Faustina Augusta, daughter of Pius Augustus" and corresponds to the Latin FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL found on imperial issues for her. Ex George Fisher Collection.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
  6. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Great coin David. I was unfamiliar with this coinage.
     
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  7. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Very nice coin, David.

    Here is one that demonstrates the "low grade" problem with these you mention. My attribution is uncertain, but if I am right, this coin spans both Jewish rebellions because of the countermark:

    CM - Titus Hadrians Head Sep 2018 (0).jpg

    The reverse is worn almost smooth, but I can just make out parts of the trophy, leading me to my attribution for the host coin, but it is still a guess:

    CM - Titus Hadrians Head Sep 2018 (0 enhanced).jpg

    Titus Æ 22
    (c. 73 A.D. C/M c. 135 A.D.)
    Roman Provincial - Samaria,
    Caesarea Maritima for Judaea

    [AVTOKΡ TITOΣ KAIΣAΡ], laureate head right / [IOYΔIAΣ EAΛΩKYIAΣ], trophy of arms, Judaea sitting & shield at base.
    RPC 2313 (uncertain attribution)
    (10.45 grams / 22 x 21 mm)
    Countermark: Laureate head right, in rectangular punch, 5.5 x 6.5 mm. Howgego 133 (17 pcs).

    Note: The countermark may have been applied in Palestine. Referred to as "Hadrian's Head," this countermark is sometimes connected to Legio XII and the Bar Kokhba Revolt (c. 132-136 A.D.)

    Here's the host coin from Wildwinds:

    Caesara Maritima - Titus AE Trophy w Captive Hendin 745 - wildwinds pic3.jpg
     
  8. ro1974

    ro1974 Well-Known Member

    nice coin:)
     
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