Recently, I was able to obtain a budget example of a coin that has been on by 'grail' list for quite some time. Although it's worn - there is no tooling, no smoothing, no bronze disease, and no fake patina, in other words an honest piece. I'm happy. Titus Æ Sestertius, 24.04g Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IVD CAP; S C in field; Palm tree; to l., Judaea std. l. on arms; to r., captive stg. r. RIC 500 (R2). BMC p. 433 note. BNC -. RPC 503 (1 spec.). Acquired from Incitatus Coins, May 2020. The Jewish War was a gift that kept on giving for the Flavian dynasty. This rare Judaea Capta sestertius was struck a decade after the fall of Jerusalem for Titus as Augustus. The new emperor wished to remind the Roman populace of his military bona fides. The coin is from of a very mysterious issue of bronze struck in 80-81. The style (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits, and massive reverse figures), unique obverse legends (DIVI VESP F for Titus), and uncommon fabric (convex flans) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region during Titus' reign prompted a localised imperial issue, which in the main copied types from Rome. The striking of imperial bronze outside of Rome was an exceptional step at the time considering the last imperial branch mint at Lugdunum had shuttered late in Vespasian's reign. Fittingly, a few days before the coin arrived this wonderful translation of Josephus' The Jewish War showed up in my PO Box. With copious notes and introduction by Martin Goodman and an engaging translation by Martin Hammond, this is by far the best edition of the work in English currently available. My antiquated Loeb edition can rest easy now. Feel free to post your (budget) Bucket List coins.
Great pick-up David. An honest-to-goodness example of a coin that has not been altered in any way yet passed through many hands until it finally came to rest in your collection.
Nice find, David. I'm hoping for a cheap "IVD CAP" to come my way...after 30+ years it hasn't happened, but hope springs eternal. This seems like a good place to share my latest Flavian. Yesterday I got a big lot of scruffy Imperial AEs in the mail, via eBay. And to my surprise, one of them was a Titus "restitution issue" for Germanicus. This wasn't on my bucket list because it seemed out of my league. I figured it was the common Caligula issue for Germanicus, but the reverse legend was baffling me, until I started looking at Titus. I've included an enhanced photo in case folks cannot read through the pitting and wear. It looks slightly better in hand, but not much. Titus Æ As Germanicus Restoration Issue (80-81 A.D.) Rome Mint GER[MANICVS CAESAR TI AV]G F DIVI AVG N, head of Germanicus, bare, left / IMP T CA[ES DIVI VESP F] AVG REST · around large S-C. RIC 442 (RIC [1962] 228) (Titus) (8.25 grams / 23 mm)
I acquired this coin at budget price. I'm sure the seller knew nothing about the term "Judaea Capta". Personally, I've heard about Jewish revolts through History even hundreds of years BC, but here at Coin Talk I learned what the term means. It was struck at Samaria under Domitian. Nike is on reverse symbolizing the victory of the Romans over Judaea (Judaea Capta). Hendin 1456.
I acquired this coin at budget price. I'm sure the seller knew nothing about the term "Judaea Capta". Personally, I've heard about Jewish revolts through History even hundreds of years BC, but here at Coin Talk I learned what the term means. It was struck at Samaria under Domitian. Nike is on reverse symbolizing the victory of the Romans over Judaea (Judaea Capta). Hendin 1456. View attachment 1123147 View attachment 1123148
A Titus Judaea Capta sestertius is a coin that is also on my "really want" list. Beautiful coin you have there, and thanks for sharing .
Here's an Augustus sestertius that I had wanted for quite some time. I got this off of eBay at a very good price which was a surprise to me. Of course with eBay you never know. It does have some obverse corrosion but I can live with that. Augustus (Augustus Caesar) Coin: Brass Sestertius OB CIVIS SERVATOS - OB above, SERVATOS below, CIVIS within oak wreath between two laurel branches C • ASINIVS • C • F • GALLVS • III • VIR • A • A • A • F • F •, large S • C. - Legend surrounding large S C Exergue: Mint: Rome (16 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 22.70g / 35mm / 7h Rarity: Rare References: RIC I 370 BMCRE 157 = BMCRR Rome 4594 BN 372-6 Cohen 367 Sear5 1644 Acquisition/Sale: cutiepagirl Ebay $0.00 09/18 Notes: Sep 7, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
Indeed! Thank you for pointing it out. I really should have mentioned how much rarer this IVD CAP type is in comparison with the more familiar IVDAEA CAPTA types!
Vespasian Denarius from the series of Judaea Capta coins for the victory over Jerusalem: Vespasian (69-79 AD). Denarius. Rome. 72/73 AD. IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Laureate head of Vespasian right / VICTORIA – AVGVSTI; winged Victory advancing right, shouldering a palm frond, crowning a standard. 17.50 mm. 2.9 g.
Great coin and great post, David! I’ve been away from the Forum for a while and decided to check it out today. It is not only good to see one of your posts as a feature article but to see that your posting is a Judaean period war coin is extra awesome.
In some circles this would be called a 'kit'. Add tooling and fake patina and you have something for a Euro-auction.
Thanks @Deacon Ray! Recently I've been reading my Hendin and The Jewish War, so it seemed like an appropriate time to beef up my Captas.