Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
RS116964. Silver denarius, RIC II-1 29, RSC II 94h, BMCRE II 26, BnF III 18, Hunter I 14, SRCV I 2285, F, light toning, scratches, tight flan cutting off parts of legends, 2.943g, 17.4mm, 180o, Rome mint, IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG (Latin: Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus - supreme commander, caesar, Vespasian, emperor), laureate head right; reverse COS ITER TR POT (Consul Iterum Tribunicia Potestate - consul again, holder of tribunitian power), Pax seated left on chair without back, olive branch in right hand, winged caduceus in left hand
This coin may have been struck to appeal to Pax to deliver peace at the time the First Jewish Revolt was coming to its end. On 14 April 70 A.D. Titus surrounded Jerusalem. He allowed pilgrims to enter to celebrate Passover but this was a trap to put pressure on supplies of food and water; he refused to allow them to leave. On 10 May he began his assault on the walls. The third wall fell on 25 May. The second wall fell on 30 May. On 20 July Titus stormed the Temple Mount. On 4 August 70 A.D. Titus destroyed the Temple. The Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av mourns the Fall of Jerusalem annually on this date.