Lot 3442

Description

Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (d.A.D. 141), AE dupondius/as, (12.14 grams), issued in Rome A.D. 150, obv. around DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust of Faustina Senior to right, rev. around AETERNITAS, hexastyle temple of Diva Faustina containing seated statue of the deity, trelliswork fencing in foreground at foot of steps, (S.4644 [£150 VF], RIC 1168, C.66). Light brown patination, very attractive, good very fine and rare.

Construction of this temple, which was later rededicated to Divus Antoninus and Diva Faustina, began in the year following the empress's death in A.D. 141. It was probably completed in 150 the date assigned to it by Hill. The shell of the building still survives in the Roman Forum, enclosing the church of S. Lorenzo in Miranda. This example is one of the finest known.