Sale: Nomos 9, Lot: 224. Estimate CHF775.  Closing Date: Monday, 20 October 2014.  Sold For CHF620. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Divus Vespasian, died in 79. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.49 g 6), struck under Titus, Rome, 80-81. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. EX - SC Victory striding left, placing a shield on a trophy with both hands; at base of trophy, Jewess mourning to left. BMC 112. BN 90. Cohen 144. RIC 59a. A beautiful piece with original luster and light toning. Slightly worn, otherwise, good extremely fine.

During the Jewish War, which went on until 73, Roman victories were commemorated with a great outpouring of coinage minted in Rome and elsewhere. The Flavians could not issue coins referring to their victory over Vitellius since these were victories in a civil war, in which Romans killed Romans. Thus, the conquest of a rebellious province, which in some ways could be equated with an external enemy, could be portrayed as a glorious event that would unite all Roman citizens.