Pepperdine University Libraries The John Wilson Coin Collection - Ancient Coins of the Holy Land [digital resource], Pepperdine University Special Collections and University Archives
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Description
This coin is a part of the “Judea Captured” collection minted in Caesarea. Through thorough imaging and the decoding of Greek inscriptions we believe that we can prove the significance of the coin in correlation to the First Jewish War in battle against the Romans. We believe that it celebrates the victory of the Romans during the First Jewish War (66 – 69 AD) , under the Emperor Vespasian (68 – 79 AD). But the question does arise about the significance of certain symbols; especially the palm tree and crown made of palm leaves and how they relate to the War as well. Vespasian/ Judea Capta Caesarea Maritima Bronze (Copper alloy, Ae) 22 mm 1 7.29 g On the obverse side of the coin, we can clearly see a face of what we are confident is a Roman Emperor. We are confident Vespasian is the man on the coin because he was the ruler of Rome during the time the victory was celebrated. The words beside the face are mostly unclear, but research indicates that what is visible is the Greek for Emperor of Caesarea. Unclear On the reverse of the coin is the goddess Nike by a palm tree. Her foot is on a helmet, and she is writing something on a shield supported by her knee. The words beside the image are again somewhat unclear; what is visible is the phrase, in Greek, “Judaea captured.” The palm tree is meant to represent the land of Judea. Though it is not very clear that what Nike is writing on the shield, on similar coins have found the engraving of the letters S.P.Q.R or IMP.T CAES. S.P.Q.R, which stands for senatus populus que romanus which means “The Senate and the People of Rome.” IMP. T CAES means Imperator Titus Caesar.
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