Lot 3455

Description

Antoninus Pius, (138-161 A.D.), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued 140-144 A.D., (23.99 g), obv: ANTONINVS AVG PI - VS P P TR P COS III bust draped and laureate to right, rev. ROMAE AETERNAE around, S C in exergue, the facade of Hadrian's Temple of Venus and Roma with 10 columns, richly decorated with statues on roof and in pediment, S C in exergue, (cf.S.4212, RIC 622, cf.BMC 1283 [cf.Pl.30.3], C.700). Fine or better, temple very fine and rare.

The Temple of Venus and Roma was the largest temple in Rome. Built by Hadrian it was dedicated to Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna. Construction lasted from 121 AD to 141 AD. The inauguration took place in 135. This coin was probably minted on the occasion of the inauguration. The depiction shows the east and west sides of the temple with ten columns. The north and south sides had 18 columns each. The dimensions were 110 x 53 meters and 30 meters high and was located between the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum.