Vespasian
AR Tetradrachm, 14.33g
Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ • ΚΑΙΣ – ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ; Bust of Vespasian, laureate, r., with aegis
Rev: ETOYΣ Γ IEPOY; Eagle standing, l., with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in l. field
RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129.
Acquired from CGB, August 2021.
A small issue of tetradrachms were stuck in southern Syria in the immediate aftermath of the siege and fall of Jerusalem. The coins have been connected by RPC to the Judaea Capta series struck at Caesarea Maritima for several reasons: the date coincides with the fall of Jerusalem, the series emphasises Titus’s role (coins featuring Vespasian’s portrait are much rarer), similar crude style to the bronze Judaea Capta coins, and the variable weight and fineness points to a military issue. Other authors (Prieur and Kraay) speculate Tyre as the mint. K. Butcher attributes them to a ‘south’ mint. Notably, the portraits are often depicted wearing an aegis.
Either way, these tetradrachms were almost certainly produced for payment to the troops who had just successfully completed the siege of Jerusalem (c. 6 August 70 AD). I submit that a no truer Judaea Capta coin can be found!
Flavian Fanatic 