The Judaea Capta coin series was issued by the Roman Empire under Emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian to commemorate Rome’s victory in the Jewish-Roman War. These coins featured imagery emphasizing Roman dominance, such as a mourning Jewish woman and a palm tree or military trophy, symbolizing the subjugation of Judea. Vespasian's successful suppression of the rebellion and the capture of Judea solidified his legitimacy as emperor, highlighting his military prowess and capacity to restore order. The conquest also brought immense wealth to Rome, including treasures from the Second Temple, which were depicted on the Arch of Titus and used to fund public works. The Judaea Capta coins served as powerful propaganda tools, reinforcing Rome's authority and Vespasian’s role in securing peace and stability across the empire.

The imagery on the Judaea Capta coins employed deeply symbolic iconography. The seated, personified Judaea represented the defeated and humiliated province, evoking Roman funerary motifs of grief and repentance. The figure's hunched posture, bowed head, and pensive demeanor conveyed mourning and submission, recalling Biblical descriptions of Jerusalem’s fall, such as Isaiah’s lamentation: "And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she, being desolate, shall sit upon the ground" (Isaiah 3:8–9, 25–26). These images were further reinforced by the towering military trophy on the coins, which symbolized Roman triumph and the transformation of Jewish resistance into spoils of war. This stark imagery underlined the province’s complete subjugation and the futility of resistance against Roman power.

The palm tree, a symbol of Judaea, further underscored the province's identity and its conquest. The rarity of this type reflects the propagandistic precision of the Roman Empire, aiming to balance triumphal imagery with considerations of political sensitivity.

Vespasian. AD 69-79. AV Aureus (18mm, 7.22 g, 6h). "Judaea Capta" commemorative. Rome mint. Struck circa 21 December AD 69-early 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / IVDAEA in exergue, trophy; to right, Judaea, veiled and draped, seated right on ground in attitude of mourning, knees drawn up, head resting on left hand, which is propped on knees, right arm on lap. RIC II.1 1; Hendin 6492; Calicó 643; BMCRE 31-4; BN 20-2; Biaggi 324 (this coin).

Ex Samel Collection (Künker 334, 17 March 2020), lot 2285; Leu 22 (8 May 1979), lot 225; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, purchased from M. Ratto in 1952; Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.