Lot 3449

Description

Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, (died A.D.141), AE sestertius, (28.26 grams), issued 142, Rome mint, obv. draped and veiled bust to right of Faustina, around DIVA AVGVS TA FAVSTINA, rev. hexastyle temple of Diva Faustina, with quadriga at the apex and Victories at the acroteria, SC in exergue, around PIETAS AVG, (S.4632, BMC 1454, RIC 1148, C.254). Attractive brown patina, good very fine and rare.

Ex Triton I Auction Sale, December 2-3, 1997 (lot 1483). Sear notes that the construction of this temple began after Faustina;s death in 141 and was for his deified wife. It was erected by Antoninus Pius on the Forum Romanum, just east of the Basilica Aemilia, after the emperor's death in AD 161, the Senate decided to rededicate it to Divus Pius as well. The shell of the building still survives in the Forum and encloses the church of S.Lorenzo im Miranda. This coin has been used for illustration on relevant article in Celator Volume 14, No.9 September 2000 page 12.