Extremely sought after and desired issue from the 'Judaea Capta' series.
The obverse portrait of Vespasian shows him as strong, robust and in the prime of life; the reverse celebrates Rome and Vespasian's triumph over the Jewish revolt in Judaea, which Titus had brought to a close the previous year with the capture of Jerusalem after a seven month siege and the destruction of the Second Temple.
Specimen from a very old collection, as evidenced by the attached beautiful ownership ticket.
Roman Imperial
Vespasian (69-79), Sestertius 71, Rome mint
Obverse: head of the emperor facing right
IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Reverse: Vespasian
standing right, foot on helmet, holding spear and parazonium, to left
of palm tree, with Judaea seated below right, on cuirass, in attitude of
mourning, SC in exerque
Diameter 34 mm, weight 26.75 g