LOT #23053 |
Current Bid: $100
Roman Imperial: Vespasian (AD 69-79). AE sestertius (34mm, 24.55 gm, 6h). NGC Fine 4/5 - 2/5, scratches....
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Description
Vespasian (AD 69-79). AE sestertius (34mm, 24.55 gm, 6h). NGC Fine 4/5 - 2/5, scratches. Lugdunum, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right, globe at point of truncation / VICTORIA-AVGVSTI, Victory standing right, left foot on helmet, affixing shield inscribed OB / CIV / SERV to palm tree, at base of which sits mourning Jewess to right in attitude of mourning; S C in exergue. RIC II 221. GBC 6, 6538. Centered flans akin to a forest floor.Descended from a family of small-time entrepreneurs and tax farmers in the Sabine hill country north of Rome, Flavius Vespasianus was born in AD 9 and rose to prominence in the Roman Army. He gained distinction during Claudius' invasion of Britain in AD 43-44 and won a Consulship in AD 51, but fell from imperial favor when he dozed off during one of Nero's musical performances. When a Jewish faction in the province of Judaea rebelled and massacred the local Roman garrison in AD 66, Nero sent Vespasian at the head of three legions to crush the revolt. Through his able son Titus, Vespasian gained the friendship and support of Mucianus, governor of Syria, who had another three legions at his disposal. When the collapse of Nero's regime in AD 68 led to a free-for-all for the throne, with Galba, Otho, and Vitellius following in quick succession, Vespasian realized he had the means and ability to make his own try for supreme power.
On 1 July AD 69, the legions of Alexandria, Egypt declared Vespasian as emperor. He decided on a policy of blockade and attrition to defeat Vitellius, but the sudden declaration of support by the Danubian legions and their invasion of Italy in the fall of AD 69 brought a much quicker victory. Vitellius was executed on 20 December, and the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor two days later. Arriving in Rome the following October, Vespasian celebrated a magnificent triumph for the Judaean campaign before launching an austerity program to put the Empire's finances on sound footing. His decade of rule was largely untroubled by revolts and conspiracies. Upon his death due to a sudden illness in AD 79 he was widely and sincerely mourned, and power passed smoothly to his son Titus.
Auction Info
2025 November 30 Spotlight: Judaea Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61558 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
November
30th
Sunday
6:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
November
30th
Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
12 Days
23m 24s
Internet/Mail Bids: 9
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This lot is in: 1 -
World & Ancient Coins Session
(Lots 23001-23095) - 7:00 PM Central Time, Sunday, November 30, 2025.
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