Vespasian as Procurator

CNG 96, Lot: 689. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Sepphoris (Diocaesarea). Nero. AD 54-68. Æ (20mm, 5.08 g, 6h). Titus Flavius Vespasianus, procurator. Dated RY 14 (AD 67/8). L [Δ]Ι Ν[ЄΡ]Ω[Ν]O/ [Κ]Λ[ΑΥ]Δ[ΙΟΥ]/ ΚΑΙCA[P]O/C in five lines within circle within wreath / ΕΠΙ ΟΥΕCΠΑ[CIANOΥ ΕΙΡΗ]ΝΟΠΟΛΙC ΝΕΡΩ/ΝΙΑC/ CEΠΦΩΡ around large S•C. Meshorer 128 (Agrippa II); Hendin 1277 (Agrippa II); Rosenberger 2 (Sepphoris); Sofaer 175 (Agrippa II); RPC I 4850 (Sepphoris). Near VF, grayish–green patina under a layer of earthen deposits. Rare and highly interesting type.

This coin names the future emperor Vespasian while he was still a general under Nero. Vespasian was sent to Judaea in AD 66 to suppress the Great Jewish Revolt, which lasted until AD 69.

A glance at the references above demonstrates there is no consensus on whether this and a related larger denomination should be considered city issues of Sepphoris or if there was some involvement on the part of Agrippa II.