I'm always enamored by the many coins issued to depict Judaea with the palm tree. It is a tree that is referenced in many ways in the Bible, and has been used on Bar Kochba's coinage of the second Jewish revolt, but also on Rome's Judaea Capta commemorative coins in gold, silver and bronze. Here's a silver denarius with a bust of Vespasian 69-79CE struck in Antioch in 72CE, weighing 3.45g. The reverse shows a standing emperor and mourning Jewess on either side of palm tree. Background image taken by me on a trip to southern Israel.
Titus? Titus, as Caesar; 69-79 AD. AR denarius (21x18mm; 3.32gm; 6h). Antioch mint. "Judaea Capta" commemorative. Obv: T CAES (IMP) VESP PON TRPOT, His laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: No legend. Titus Standing right holding spear and parazonium; left foot on globe (not visible here); captive Judaea seated right on the ground in a mourning mode, at the base of a palm tree. RIC II 1562 (Vespasian); Hendin 1492; RPC 1934; RSC 392...
That's a really nice Judaea Capta. The palm tree pic is great, too. Only one I've had was well worn and without a palm tree.
@PeteB yes, the OP shows Vespasian. The coin you show is that of Titus (with beard!) Here's mine in ugly plastic - replaced with more palm trees!
I've encountered several of the Vespasian Judaea Capta with what appears as a weak obverse, but perhaps the high relief had something to do with it. The reverse is exceptionally sharp, and mint state.
Here. Best I can do. My only Judaea Capta to date. Also my own personal palm tree photo in the background, though in this case it's Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Alas, no palm tree on the coin.
@lordmarcovan It's my best guess that the type you own is the first of the series all collectors of this area will acquire. They are readily available, in varying grades, and most affordable (meaning less costly than the others). 2,000 years after the destruction of the Jewish Temple, the remaining Western Wall in Jerusalem is the main attraction for people of all faiths.
Yep. "Affordable" is a necessary consideration on my limited budget. That was from my old <$500 Twelve Caesars collection.
Nice coins all. I have several Flavians with palm trees. But here's one I got recently T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR Laureate head right IVDAEA CAPTA SC Palm tree; Judaea seated right; to left of tree, arms Lugdunum (Lyon), 77-8 CE 8.81g RIC 1268 Vespasian (C2) A common but important type. Minted 8 years after the conquest of Judea by Titus. A reminder of Titus' military prowess and his place as his father's successor. Surfaces not as rough in hand as appear in photo.
