Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 117  –  1 October 2019

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 117

Greek, Roman and Gupta Empire gold coins

Tu, 01.10.2019, from 4:45 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

Faustina I, wife of Antoninus Pius. Diva Faustina I. Aureus after 141, AV 6.97 g. DIVA FAV – STINA Draped and veiled bust l. Rev. AVGV – STA Ceres, veiled, standing l., holding torch in r. hand and sceptre in l. C 98. BMC A. Pius 398. RIC A. Pius 356d. Calicó 1765 (this coin).
An extremely elegant left facing portrait of fine style. Extremely fine

Ex NFA 14, 1984, 419 and NAC 38, 2007, a Refined Connoisseur of Portraiture, 69 sales. From the collection of a Retired Banker.
The obverse portrait is also notable and extremely rare for its depiction of Faustina. On her funerary coinage she normally appears bare headed to show off the intricately braided hairstyle for which she was famous. However, here she is shown wearing a veil and a stephane. These attributes were probably intended to equate the deified empress with Juno, the chief goddess of the Roman pantheon who was wife to Jupiter (the obvious divine equivalent to the emperor) and patron of marriage.

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Bidding

Price realized 6'500 CHF
Starting price 5'600 CHF
Estimate 7'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
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