Busacca Gallery

Extremely rare collectible coin / Vespasian, 69–79 AD. AE35, 24.54 g. Sestertius. Lugdunum mint. This beautiful and very collectible coin is estimated and valued at over $6,500, and we will verify its availability upon your price inquiry. At BusaccaGallery.com, we vet all customers for transactions over $5,000 to ensure a secure and satisfactory experience for both parties. Please read the innovative story and watch the informative video we provide for each piece of these highly collectible works of art. If interested please contact us. Obverse: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR PPP COS III. Laureate head of Vespasian facing right. Reverse: JUDAEA CAPTA SC. A Jewish woman, seated and mourning under a palm tree, to the right. To the left of the tree, a Jewish male captive stands with his hands bound behind his back, looking to the left. This is an extremely rare variant of the Judaea Capta series, with the male captive looking left (RIC 1205v), instead of the usual right-facing depiction. Condition: VF, with slightly rough surfaces. Provenance: One of only two known examples, the other housed in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The only known specimen in private hands.

Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 69 to 79 AD. He founded the Flavian dynasty, which marked the end of the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 AD, a period of civil war following the death of Emperor Nero. Vespasian's rise to power and his reign are significant in Roman history for stabilizing the empire and initiating major reforms. Early Life and Career: Born: November 17, 9 AD, in Falacrina, a small town northeast of Rome. Background: He came from an equestrian family, not part of the Roman aristocracy. His father was a tax collector, and his mother came from a more prominent family. Military Career: Vespasian had a long and successful military career. He served in Britain under Emperor Claudius, where he distinguished himself in battle and gained considerable experience. He was also sent to suppress the Jewish Revolt in Judea in 66 AD, where his victories earned him great acclaim. Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD): After the death of Nero in 68 AD, the Roman Empire descended into civil war, with four men—Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian—claiming the imperial throne in quick succession. Vespasian, who was still in Judea, emerged as a leading contender and was proclaimed emperor by his troops. With the support of the eastern provinces and the powerful general, Marcus Antonius Primus, Vespasian's forces marched on Rome, where Vitellius was defeated. Reign as Emperor (69–79 AD): Restoration of Stability: One of Vespasian’s primary achievements was restoring stability to the Roman Empire after the chaos of civil war. He reduced the power of the Praetorian Guard, consolidated the treasury, and took measures to increase revenues, including new taxes and the revival of older ones. Public Works: Vespasian undertook several important public works projects, the most famous being the construction of the Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater) in Rome. He also rebuilt parts of Rome damaged during Nero's reign and the civil wars. Military Campaigns: Vespasian left his son, Titus, to complete the Jewish War. In 70 AD, Titus captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Second Temple, and brought an end to the Jewish Revolt, a key event in Jewish history. Vespasian celebrated the Roman victory with a triumph in Rome and issued a series of "Judaea Capta" coins to commemorate the conquest. Economic Reforms: Vespasian managed the empire’s finances efficiently. He introduced various fiscal policies to refill the Roman treasury, which had been depleted by Nero’s extravagance. One of the more controversial taxes was the tax on public urinals, which gave rise to the phrase "money does not stink" ("pecunia non olet"), attributed to Vespasian. Legacy: Titus and Domitian: Vespasian’s legacy continued through his sons, Titus and Domitian, both of whom succeeded him as emperors. Titus, in particular, was popular and well-regarded, though Domitian's later rule would become more autocratic. Historical Importance: Vespasian is remembered for bringing stability and economic recovery to Rome after a turbulent period, for the completion of the Jewish War, and for his contributions to Roman infrastructure, notably the Colosseum. His pragmatic and down-to-earth nature earned him a reputation as a capable and effective ruler. Vespasian died on June 23, 79 AD, after a decade of rule, leaving the Roman Empire in a much stronger position than when he ascended to power.