Vespasian (AD 69-79). AR denarius (3.1 gm, 18.5 mm). Judaea Capta issue. Rome, A 69-70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS [AVG], laureate head of Vespasian right / IVDAEA in exergue, trophy beneath which Judaea, in attitude of mourning, seated right. RIC 2. BMC 35. RSC 226. VF-. This denarius type is an iconic symbol of the Roman victory in the great Jewish War (AD 66-70) and illustrates the total subjection of rebellious Judaea to Rome. The defeat of the rebels was advertised on a vast series of coins issued by Vespasian and Titus as a means of lending legitimacy to their usurpation of power following the death of Nero. Some of the bullion used for the precious metal issues is likely to have come from the plunder of the Temple and the sack of Jerusalem and other cities captured during the war.
