EPIRUS. Nicopolis. Diva Faustina I, circa 143-144. Quinarius (Silver, 15 mm, 1.27 g, 7 h). ΘΕΑ ΦΑΥ - CΤΕΙΝΑ Draped bust of Diva Faustina to right. Rev. ΑΚΤΙΑ within wreath. BMC 26. Oikonomidou 30-32. RPC IV.1, online, 4184 (temporary). SNG Copenhagen 2604. Very rare, one of twelve known examples, of which all the eleven others are in museums. Fine.



This is an extremely rare example of a festival issue in silver struck by a Greek city during Roman times. The possibility that this piece was struck for games held to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Actium (31 BC), which took place in 143/4, seems most attractive. The accompanying piece of Antoninus Pius (RPC temp. 4177), which is dated to his third consulate (140-143/4), makes the connection to that anniversary even more convincing.