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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 4579896, member: 82616&quot;]I don&#039;t know why I held off so long acquiring one of these large Judaean bronzes struck by Agrippa II for Vespasian. The portraits are a treat and the numismatic story behind them is quite intriguing.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1134145[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian [Agrippa II]</b></p><p>Æ30, 16.75g</p><p>Caesarea Paneas, 73-74 AD</p><p>Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ ΟΥΕϹΠΑϹΙ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΙ ϹΒΑΣΤΩ (sic); Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: ΕΤ ΔΙ - ΒΑ / ΑΓΡΙ-ΠΠΑ; Tyche with calathos standing, l., holding cornucopia and two corn-ears</p><p>RPC 2243 (4 spec.). Hendin 1301.</p><p>Acquired from David Hendin, eBay, June 2020. Ex Goldberg 110, 4-5 June 2019, lot 1776 (part). Ex Shlomo Moussaieff Collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>Agrippa II sporadically struck coinage for the Flavian dynasty throughout his long reign. The coins circulated within his kingdom (Northern Palestine) and were likely coined at Caesaera Panesa, although the mint is not certain (Hendin places it at Caesarea Maritima). Confusingly, Agrippa&#039;s mint(s) employed two different dating eras for his coinage - one starting in 56 and the second in 60 or 61. This large bronze struck in the name Vespasian is dated regnal year 14 by the second era and was produced in either 73 or 74 AD. RPC suggests this issue could possibly commemorate the Roman victory at Masada which occurred around the same time. But taking into account Agrippa&#039;s high profile role during the Jewish war the coins could simply be a by-product of his fidelity to the Flavian regime.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although, the notion that the coin has a tie-in to the Masada siege is a more exciting one!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1134148[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>At any rate, the piece has a wonderful portrait with hints of desert patina. Plus, it doesn&#039;t hurt that the coin comes from &#039;Mr. Biblical Coins&#039; himself David Hendin.</p><p><br /></p><p>Feel free to post your &#039;Biblical&#039; coins.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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