David Atherton Posted June 12, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 12, 2023 (edited) Everyone who collects ancient coins are quite familiar with Vespasian's iconic Judaea Capta denarii and sestertii issues. But did you know the asses also have their own Judaea Capta issues? VespasianÆ As, 9.64g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: IVDEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass, head resting on hand, surrounded by arms RIC 305 (C). BMC 605. BNC 580. Hendin 1554a. Acquired from Praefectus Coins, May 2023. Ex Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A. Auction 154, 17 March 2023, lot 602. Judaea Capta coins were struck in all metals, but are quite scarce on the middle bronzes. This as from 71 echoes a similar Judaea Capta denarius struck the previous year. Here IVDEA CAPTA is spelled out, on the denarii only IVDAEA is in exergue (note the different spelling between the two denominations). The cuirass and surrounding pile of arms are also missing from the denarius examples. This as is rated as common in RIC but can be most difficult to find in trade. In hand. As always thanks for looking! Edited June 12, 2023 by David Atherton 15 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broucheion Posted June 12, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 12, 2023 (edited) Hi All, Mine with Titus. RIC II, Part 1 (2nd Ed)-1268 OCRE . TITUS (79-81 AD), GALLIA, LUGDUNUM ?, ca 77-78 AD Æ AS Broucheion Collection ROM-2002-01-20.001 OBV: Titus bust laureate, facing right. Legend: TCAESIMPAVGFTRPCOSVICENSOR. Dotted border.REV: Judaea, clothed in a tunic, with short sleeves: she sits, in the attitude of extreme sorrow, at the foot of a palm tree representing Palestine. Trophy arms behind her. Legend: IVDAEA - [CAPT]A. In exergue: SC. Dotted border. - Broucheion Edited June 12, 2023 by Broucheion 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted June 12, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 12, 2023 7 hours ago, David Atherton said: Everyone who collects ancient coins are quite familiar with Vespasian's iconic Judaea Capta denarii and sestertii issues. But did you know the asses also have their own Judaea Capta issues? VespasianÆ As, 9.64g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: IVDEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass, head resting on hand, surrounded by arms RIC 305 (C). BMC 605. BNC 580. Hendin 1554a. Acquired from Praefectus Coins, May 2023. Ex Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A. Auction 154, 17 March 2023, lot 602. Judaea Capta coins were struck in all metals, but are quite scarce on the middle bronzes. This as from 71 echoes a similar Judaea Capta denarius struck the previous year. Here IVDEA CAPTA is spelled out, on the denarii only IVDAEA is in exergue (note the different spelling between the two denominations). The cuirass and surrounding pile of arms are also missing from the denarius examples. This as is rated as common in RIC but can be most difficult to find in trade. In hand. As always thanks for looking! Nice catch! I was wondering about the spelling, though. Is there a difference in meaning, between IVDAEA and IVDEA? And is IVDEA only used on the middle bronzes? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvk Posted June 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, Limes said: Nice catch! I was wondering about the spelling, though. Is there a difference in meaning, between IVDAEA and IVDEA? And is IVDEA only used on the middle bronzes? No difference in meaning. I (sadly) haven't studied or practiced Latin for quite some time, but this is a neat example of pronunciation preferences evolving over time. I'm not sure about your second question. Great coin @David Atherton Edited June 13, 2023 by rvk 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted June 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 13, 2023 There is no difference in meaning between IVDAEA and IVDEA. Around this time the Latin diphthong AE was undergoing a change in pronunciation. In the Classical period @ 1st century BC it was nearly always pronounced like "eye". In the countryside this sort of morphed into an "AY" sound. In archaic Latin many words with the "eye"sounding diphthong were spelled with an AI. If I recall , I think Cicero lamented the rustic change in pronunciation. Ironically Vespasian himself had a rural accent. In later Latin the AE diphthong is still retained in spelling but pronounced "AY". In Italian the A is dropped . I think some of the engravers probably spelled it phonetically. We have a similar variant in spelling of the word Libertas /Leibertas on some republican coins (ie Brutus). 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted June 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 18 hours ago, Limes said: And is IVDEA only used on the middle bronzes? It is only seen on rare 'Capta' sestertii and these asses from 71. A rare variant spelling! I like @Octavius's theory that the variant engraver's spelling may be due to different pronunciation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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