Banti Plate Coin
Diva Faustina Senior. Died AD 140/1. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 25.72 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 146-161. DIVA FAV-STINA ·, draped bust right, hair bound in pearls / AETER-NITAS, temple of Diva Faustina: façade of hexastyle temple on podium of three steps, railing in front, statues before outer columns, relief in pediment, quadriga and Victories as acroteria; within, statue of Faustina seated left, holding globe in right hand and spear in left; SC in exergue. RIC III 1115a (Antoninus Pius); BMCRE 1506 (Antoninus Pius); Banti 27 (this coin illustrated). Good VF, dark green patina.
Ex Galerie des Monnaies (9 June 1978), lot 1245.
Following her consecration, a temple to Faustina (later rededicated to both Divus Pius and Diva Faustina) was begun on the Via Sacra. Remains of the temple are preserved today, having been incorporated into the construction of the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda.
