Judaea Capta

Judaea Capta coinage was a series of commemorative coins originally issued by Vespasian to celebrate the capture of Judaea. Coins inscribed Ivdaea Capta (Judea Captured) were issued throughout the Empire. Issued by Roman Emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian to celebrate the victory over the Jewish revolt and the destruction of Jerusalem's Second Temple in 70 CE, they were struck for 25 years in gold, silver, and bronze.

The Great Revolt between the Romans and the Jews in 63 CE occured when Roman governor Gessius Florus looted the Second Temple. After the capture of Jerusalem, the last rebels committed suicide at Masada. In 69 CE, Galba, the governor of Hispania (Spain), rebelled against Nero and Rome saw the 'year of 4 emperors'. Vespasian levied the punitive Fiscus Judaicus tax against all five million of his Jewish subjects.

Vespasian. AU Aureus (7.05 g), AD 69-79. ‘Judaea Capta’ type.

Vespasian then began striking vast numbers of Judaea Capta coins in all denominations. One element of the Judaea Capta imagery is a group of military trophies. Captured weapons and armor hung from a tree or post represents a military victory over the defeated enemy.

The First Jewish Revolt (66–73/74 CE), was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews of Judaea Province against the Roman Empire.

An extremely rare shekel produced in Year 4 plus the ultimate rarity–a Year 5 shekel. The Second Revolt was circa 132-135 CE.

Very rare Judaea Capta type gold aureus features a Roman trophy with the inscription DE IVDAEIS (Latin - "concerning the Jews") Extremely rare hybrid features the strange legend IVDAEA AUGUST.

Titus, AD 79-81. Gold Aureus. A true rarity, the date is early in AD 70, which places it before or during the siege of Jerusalem (May-September 70). Roman Emperor Galba ruled for eight months from AD 68 to 69