Restoration of the Temple of Divus Augustus
279, Lot: 506. Estimate $150. Sold for $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Dupondius (24mm, 11.25 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 159. Radiate head right / TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST, octastyle temple within which are seated the figures of Divus Augustus and Livia. RIC III 1017. Near VF, dark green patina. Scarce.
From the Bruce R. Brace Collection, purchased from the Hughes Collection, 1952.
The second Temple of Divus Augustus, commenced under Tiberius and dedicated by Caligula in August AD 37, suffered during the great fire of 80 which began on the Capitoline Hill and spread into the Forum and onto the Palatine. It was possibly restored or rebuilt under Domitian, although it is not mentioned in the Chronographia, and it certainly received further restoration under Antoninus Pius in 158. The temple under Antoninus was Corinthian octastyle and contained the seated figures of Divus Augustus and Livia within, generally drawn on the coinage at an elevated level to suggest perspective.