Vespasian - Judaea Sestertius (N20104)

Judaea. Vespasian Æ Sestertius. Rome, 71 CE. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right / IVDAEA CAPTA, palm tree; to left, Vespasian, holding spear and parazonium, standing right, with foot on helmet; to right, Jewess seated right on cuirass, in attitude of mourning. RIC 167; C. 239; BMCRE 546; Hendin 775. 18,34 g, 32mm 

This  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. Fine