Vespasian. AD 69-79. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.31 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck AD 73. NGC Ch XF, 4/5, 3/5.

CNG Feature Auction 129
Lot: 506.
Closing Date: May 14 2025 11:00 ET

Roman Imperial, Gold

Estimate: $ 10 000

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Vespasian. AD 69-79. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.31 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck AD 73. IMP CAESAR VESP AVG CENSOR, laureate head right / VES TA above, Temple of Vesta: round-domed, tetrastyle temple with four steps leading up to it; statue of Vesta within, statue to left and right of temple. RIC II.1 516; Calicó 693; BMCRE p. 21, note 107; BN –; Adda –; Biaggi –; Jameson –; Mazzini dopo 580 (same obv. die); cf. Elkins, Monuments Figure 88 (for rev. type). In NGC encapsulation 6057935-002, graded Ch XF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Rare with this obverse legend. Interesting architectural reverse type.

Ex Künker 347 (22 March 2021), lot 1078; Künker 288 (13 March 2017), lot 475.

The reverse of this aureus depicts the circular Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum, a small portion of which was re-erected in 1930 and still stands today. The round floor plan with the conical roof were patterned on the round huts in which primeval denizens of Rome first lived. At the center of the temple was the Sacred Fire of Vesta, tended by the six-member order of Vestal Virgins. The Virgins were under oath never to let the fire die lest a terrible fate befall Rome, a difficult charge given the central vent in the roof. Over nine centuries, the shrine was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The version seen here was rebuilt and rededicated by Vespasian after the temple had been damaged in Nero’s fire of AD 64.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 13 May at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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