Masterpiece of Engraving

Triton XXI, Lot: 768. Estimate $20000. Sold for $23500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Diva Faustina Senior. Died AD 140/1. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.33 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 146-161. DIVA FAV STINA, veiled and draped bust left, wearing wreath of four grain ears, hair bound in pearls on top of her head / AVG V STA, Ceres, veiled, draped, standing left, holding up lighted torch in each hand. RIC III 357b (Pius); Beckman dies df37/CB11, a (this coin illustrating dies in plates); Calicó 1759 (same obv. die as illustration); BMCRE 407 (Pius); Biaggi 809 (same obv. die). EF. Struck from an exceptionally artistic obverse die.

Ex Gemini IV (8 January 2008), lot 431; Numismatic Ars Classica 24 (5 December 2002), lot 99; Sotheby’s (7 March 1996), lot 188; Dr. Grimoud Collection, reportedly purchased in July 1950.

Martin Beckmann, who wrote the die study for the coinage of Diva Faustina, chose this style obverse for the cover of his book.