Triton XXII, Lot: 1102. Estimate $7500. Sold for $19000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Diva Faustina Senior. Died AD 140/1. AV Aureus (20.5mm, 7.21 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa 146-161. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, wearing hair bound in pearls on top of her head / AETER NITAS, façade of the Temple of Diva Faustina in the Forum Romanum: Diva Faustina, holding patera and scepter, enthroned facing within hexastyle temple façade set on high podium with fence before; pediment decorated with statuary; roof line decorated with quadriga and female figures, each holding globe above head. RIC III 354; Beckman dies df26/T4; Strack 443α (Pius); Calicó 1755 (same rev. die as illustration); BMCRE 383 (same rev. die); Biaggi –. In NGC encapsulation, 2402037-001, graded MS(star), Strike: 5/5; Surface: 4/5, Fine Style.

From the DMS Collection. Ex Berk BBS 132 (14 May 2003), lot 11 (further pedigree listed there is erroneous).