Titus. As Caesar, AD 69-79. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.33 g, 6h)

Titus. As Caesar, AD 69-79. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.33 g, 6h). "Judaea Capta" commemorative. Rome mint. Struck under Vespasian, AD 72-73. T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT, laureate head right / Palm tree with five palm fronds: to left, Titus, in military dress, standing right, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left, foot on helmet; to right, Judaea, veiled and draped, seated right in attitude of mourning, knees drawn up, head resting on left hand, left arm propped on knee. RIC II.1 368 (Vespasian); Hendin 6496; Calicó 721b; BMCRE 83-4 (Vespasian); BN 74 (Vespasian); Biaggi 389; Bromberg 618. Underlying luster, few minor marks, small test cut at reverse edge. VF. Rare.

Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection (Gemini IX, 9 January 2012), lot 303; Teddy Kollek Collection (Leu 86, 5 May 2003), lot 807.

The Roman Empire used coins to convey powerful messages. The anepigraphic reverse on this coin depicts the utter destitution of Judaea following the brutal suppression of the Jewish revolt.

See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water, the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled crafstman and clever enchanter (Isaiah 3:1-3).

And her gates shall lament and mourn; ravaged, she shall sit upon the ground (Isaiah 3:26).