THRACE. Abdera. Vespasian, with Titus as Caesar. A.D. 69-79. Æ. 5.56 gm. 19 mm. Laureate head of Vespasian right; OYECΠACIANΩ AYTOKPATOPI / Bare head of Titus right; ABΔHPEITAI TITO KAICAPI. RPC II 356 corr. SNG Copenhagen 384. BMC 93. Very Fine; attractive green and brown patina; well centered, bold portraits struck in high relief.

This coin presents particularly fine high-relief portraits of the Roman emperors Vespasian and his son Titus who prosecuted the wars in Judaea to repress the Jewish rebellion, five years of warfare that devastated the Roman economy and threatened the Empire. In A.D. 70 Titus layed siege to Jerusalem and after four months, after bringing the defenders to the brink of starvation, Roman legions stormed the city and destroyed the Temple. Titus hauled the golden menorah and showbread table from the Temple to Rome the next year to celebrate their triumph, setting the stage for the Judaea Capta series of propaganda pieces celebrating Rome's supposed breaking of the Jewish people.