Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, Sliver Denarius

About this objectThis Denarius was issued in the same year as the Temple of Peace, or the Forum of Vespasian, was built in Rome. The temple was built to signify the end of the Jewish War and the fall of Masada, which resulted in the suicides of 960 Jewish rebels.

Vespasian was the first emperor to have come from an equestrian family rather than the patrician class. He was known for his military successes, including the invasion of Britain and the subjugation of Judea. Around one third of the known coins of Vespasian celebrate a military victory.

On the obverse of this coin is the bust of Vespasian laureate, facing right. On the reverse is Victory standing three-quarters, on the prow of a ship, with a wreath in extended her right hand and her left hand placed with the palm against left shoulder.

Victory, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Nike, was the personification or goddess of victory. She was a common feature on Roman coinage, often used to indicate a military victory. In this case it is most likely the victory over the Jewish rebels.

Date Made75 AD

PeriodImperial (Roman)

Place MadeItaly, Rome

Medium and MaterialsMetal, Silver.

Style and IconographyRoman

Inscription and MarksObverse: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Reverse: PON MAX - TR P COS VI

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

MeasurementsHeight: 3mm
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.38g

Subject and Association KeywordsEmperors

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Latin

Subject and Association KeywordsNumismatics

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by M. K. Steven in 1996.

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number180.96.20

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved