Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1557. Estimate $10000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $14500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

VESPASIAN. 69-79 AD. Æ Sestertius (26.23 gm, 5h). Rome mint. Struck 76 AD. Laureate head right / The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus: hexastyle temple set on three-tiered base; statues on either side; pediment decorated with statues of Capitoline Triad and other figures; quadriga and eagles as acroteria; statues along roof line; within, statue of Jupiter seated facing, holding sceptre, flanked by statues of Juno and Minerva standing facing, holding sceptres. RIC II 577; BMCRE 722; Cohen 488. EF, jade-green patina, minor weakness around edge. Stunning portrait. ($10,000)

The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Best and Greatest) sat on the Capitoline Hill at the head of the Roman Forum. Although dedicated to the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva), the temple became associated with Jupiter alone. The first temple was begun under the last Roman king, Tarquinius Superbus, and dedicated in 509 BC, the first year of the new Republic. After burning down in 83 BC, it was rebuilt by Sulla and the consul Q. Lutatius Catulus. While periodically struck by lightning, the building remained intact for approximately 150 years. In 69 AD the temple was again burned, when the Capitol was stormed by partisans of Vitellius. In 70 AD Vespasian ordered the temple's reconstruction; Tacitus (Hist. 4.4) records in great detail the ground breaking ceremonies. Completion of the new temple, larger and more magnificent than its predecessors, was a cause for great celebration, as evidenced by the striking of coins like the present example.