Vespasian, 69-79. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.31 g, 6 h), Rome, July-December 71. IMP CAES VESP AVG P M Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. VIC - AVG Victory standing right on globe, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond over her left shoulder with her left. BMC 63. Biaggi 344 (this coin). Bromberg II 599. Calicó 698 (this coin illustrated). CBN 47. Cohen 583 corr. (obverse legend). Hendin -. RIC 47. Samel -. Shoshana -. Sharply struck and with an excellent portrait, a wonderful coin. Good extremely fine.



Struck at Rome between July and December 71 CE, this magnificent aureus belongs to the extensive victory coinage issued after Vespasian and Titus’ triumph over Judaea earlier that year. Victory advances upon a globe, holding out a wreath and carrying a palm branch, while the concise legend VIC AVG proclaims the victory of the emperor. The type conveys the same message expressed more explicitly by the contemporary IVDAEA CAPTA and DEVICTA IVDAEA issues: the defeat of the Jewish revolt and the triumph of the new Flavian dynasty. The globe beneath Victory’s feet gives the composition a broader dimension, presenting the victory in Judaea as a symbol of Roman power and of the restored authority of the emperor after the civil wars of 69 CE.

Coming shortly after the triumph at Rome, during which the spoils of the Jerusalem Temple were displayed before the Roman people, the type was clearly part of the celebration of the recent victory in Judaea. The present aureus thus belongs to the period in which that victory became one of the central themes of Vespasian’s coinage.