Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 432 14 Nov 2018
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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (31.5mm, 21.70 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 158. Laureate head right / TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST, cult images of Divus Augustus and Diva Livia within octastyle temple set on podium; figure of Divus Augustus between two reclining figures on pediment, quadriga at top of roofline, acroteria (Romulus on left, Aeneas bearing Anchises on right) at bottom of roofline. RIC III 1004; Banti 406. Good VF, warm brown patina over toned orichalcum surfaces, a few scratches in obverse fields, minor flan crack.
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. The reliefs on the pediment are impossible to identify with any certainty, but the statuary on the roof can be identified as Augustus in quadriga flanked by Romulus on the left and Anchises carrying his father on the right.
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. The reliefs on the pediment are impossible to identify with any certainty, but the statuary on the roof can be identified as Augustus in quadriga flanked by Romulus on the left and Anchises carrying his father on the right.