Faustina Friday – The Dedication of the Temple of Diva Faustina

[Roman Collector]

Friday felicitations, fellow Faustina fanatics! I hope you have a great weekend!

Thanks to the work of Martin Beckmann,[1] we have been able to arrange the undated coinage of Faustina I in chronological order and, in many cases, assign a rough date of issue. Beckmann accomplished this by constructing a nearly complete sequence of die-linkages for the aurei, supported by additional shorter, but corroborative, die-linkages amongst the aurei and the sestertii. Moreover, by studying hybrids of dated coins of Antoninus Pius or Aurelius Caesar which bear Faustina's reverse types, and by studying the connections of issues to other dated events, he has been able to assign actual – not just relative – dates to certain issues.

Today I'm going to discuss three reverse types issued in honor of the dedication of the Temple of Diva Faustina in 143 or 144 CE. These are an anepigraphic type issued in the aureus denomination, silver and bronze issues bearing the inscription DEDICATIO AEDIS ("the dedication of the temple") and silver and bronze issues bearing the inscription PIETAS AVG[VSTI] ("the piety of the emperor"). We are on solid ground with dating these issues to 143-144. Faustina died in late 140[2] and the earliest temple dies are linked to an obverse of Antoninus Pius dated COS III (140-144).[3] The dedication ceremony required that the officiating magistrate (a consul or holder of imperium) to grasp the door-post of the temple with his hands (postem tenere), it follows that the building had to be complete before it was dedicated.[4] It seems unlikely that the temple could have been constructed before 143, and the numismatic evidence indicates the latest the dedication could have taken place was 144. Therefore, I date these coins to 143-144.

I have previously discussed some of these coins in an installment of Faustina Friday where I discuss changes made to the temple during the period between the temple's dedication and a second series of temple coinage issued in 150 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the empress's death. I refer you to that installment posted elsewhere for photos of the remains of the temple in modern Rome and that discussion. You may also see additional photos here. Today's installment focuses on the earlier temple issues. All coins depicted are in my own collection unless noted otherwise.

Anepigraphic aureus

Three aurei of this reverse type were issued and were paired with either a bare-headed bust or a veiled bust wearing the stephane. The obverse inscription may read DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA or the shorter DIVA AVG FAVSTINA. The veiled and stephaned bust type makes its appearance with the temple issue, suggesting that the cult statue of Faustina in the temple served as the model for this new portrait.[5] All these varieties appear to be in use simultaneously in Beckmann's die-linkage study, suggesting that they were never intended to be separate issues. Moreover, since this anepigraphic reverse type was not issued in silver or bronze, we are unable to assign a relative chronology between it and the other two reverse types discussed below.

Aureus with unabbreviated DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA legend and bare-headed bust (RIC 406Ba). Heritage Auctions, Inc., Auction 419, lot 51071,15 September 2006.

Aureus with unabbreviated DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA legend and veiled and stephaned bust (RIC 406Bd, corrected; the stephane is omitted by all catalogs). Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, no. 18218164.

 

Aureus with abbreviated DIVA AVG FAVSTINA legend and bare-headed bust (RIC 406A). British Museum, BMCRE 331.

The PIETAS AVG[VSTI] Types

Coins depicting the Temple of Diva Faustina and bearing the reverse inscription PIETAS AVG or PIETAS AVGVSTI were struck in silver and bronze. A die-linkage of this type with the earlier Pietas standing, sacrificing over altar type[6] suggests the coins of this issue were minted before the DEDICATIO AEDIS type, but Beckmann's sestertius die-linkage study is too fragmentary to establish a relative chronology with certainty.

The denarii of this type were issued with two reverse inscriptions, one reading PIETAS AVG and one reading PIETAS AVGVSTI.[7] I have examples of both types in my collection. Although the denarii fall outside of the purview of Beckmann's die-linkage studies of the aurei and sestertii, the denarii bearing each of these two reverse inscriptions were likely in production simultaneously, analogous to the situation with the sestertii, which I discuss below.

Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.55 g, 17.4 mm, 7 h.
Rome, c. 143-44 CE.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: PIETAS AVG, hexastyle temple on stepped podium, above, a quadriga, Victories as acroteria.
Refs: RIC 396; BMCRE 319-21; Cohen 253; Strack 432; RCV 4599; UCR 435; CRE 129.

Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.17 g, 17.4 mm, 7 h.
Rome, c. 143-44 CE.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: PIETAS AVGVSTI, hexastyle temple on stepped podium, above, a quadriga, Victories as acroteria.
Refs: RIC –; BMCRE 322-323; Cohen –; RSC 253b; Strack –; RCV –;CRE 130.
Note: Extremely rare; other known specimens limited to the two in the British Museum collection, a specimen in the ANS collection (ANS 1956.127.574), and one in a private eastern European collection (CRE 130). This coin is a double die-match to BMCRE 323 and to the ANS specimen.

Similarly, the sestertii of this type were issued with two reverse inscriptions, PIETAS AVG and PIETAS AVGVSTI. I have only the former in my collection but illustrate the types with the longer inscription with museum and auction specimens. We know from die-linkage studies that coins with each of these two reverse inscriptions were in production simultaneously.[8] Therefore, it is best to consider these as variants of the same issue, not as separate issues. Moreover, there are variations in the details of the design. Some dies depict figures of Aeternitas holding a billowing veil over her head instead of figures of Victory as acroteria. Some dies depict the quadriga on the roof facing, while others depict it driving right. One elaborate die depicts additional statues flanking the temple at its base, one facing right and holding a scepter or long torch and another facing left and holding a cornucopiae. This die also depicts the cult statue of Faustina seated within the temple. I illustrate this die below because it is interesting, but there is no reason to believe that it was issued separately.

Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 21.91 g, 31.4 mm, 12 h.
Rome, c. 143-44 CE.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: PIETAS AVG, hexastyle temple on stepped podium, above, a quadriga, Victories as acroteria.
Refs: RIC 1148; BMCRE 1454-56; Cohen 254; Strack 1245; RCV 4632; Hill 417.

Sestertius depicting the Temple of Diva Faustina and bearing the unabbreviated PIETAS AVGVSTI reverse legend. British Museum collection, BMCRE 1457.

Sestertius bearing the unabbreviated PIETAS AVGVSTI reverse legend and details not depicted on other dies, such as statues flanking the temple at its base and the cult statue of Diva Faustina within the temple. CGB.fr, Monnaies 26, lot 275, 22 June 2006.

The DEDICATIO AEDIS Types

The inscription on these coins, DEDICATIO AEDIS, "the dedication of the temple," makes the reason for its issue clear. Coins with this reverse inscription were issued in the denarius and sestertius denominations. The sestertii of this reverse type are extremely rare, being limited to two specimens in the Bibliothèque nationale de France and one sold in 2019 through Heritage Auctions. Beckmann illustrates the reverse of one of the Paris specimens (BnF no. 2588, illustrated below),[9] but was unable to link it to other dies, and we are thus not able to firmly assign a chronology to this issue relative to the anepigraphic or Pietas Augusti types shown above. However, as noted above, this reverse type was likely issued later than the Pietas Augusti series. I illustrate the denarius with a specimen from my own collection but must illustrate the sestertius with museum and auction specimens.

Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.44 g, 18.7 mm, 7 h.
Rome, c. 143-44 CE.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: DEDICATIO AEDIS, hexastyle temple on stepped podium, above, a quadriga, Victories as acroteria.
Refs: RIC 388; BMCRE 306; Cohen 191; Strack 426; RCV 4596; Hill 434; CRE 127.

Sestertius, RIC 1138, depicting the Temple of Diva Faustina and bearing the DEDICATIO AEDIS reverse legend. This die (Beckmann T5) illustrates the brickwork of the temple. Paris, BnF no. 2588, illustration from Strack pl. 18, 1239.

Sestertius, RIC 1138, depicting the Temple of Diva Faustina and bearing the DEDICATIO AEDIS reverse legend. Heritage Auctions, Inc., Auction 271920, lot 40205, 26 May 2019.

I think these three issues are interesting and they are certainly fun to collect. Do you have any of these coins issued to commemorate the dedication of the temple? Let’s see them! As always, post comments or anything you feel is relevant!

~~~

Notes

1. Beckmann, Martin. Diva Faustina: Coinage and Cult in Rome and the Provinces. American Numismatic Society, 2012.
 

2. The Fasti Ostienses for A.D. 140 records:

On October 23(?) Faustina Augusta died and on the same day was named diva by the Senate and a senatorial decree was made awarding her a state funeral. Games and circus-races were offered. [Some unknown number of days before] November 13 Faustina’s state funeral was celebrated, gold and silver statues were set up(?), and a senatorial decree.

Fasti Ostienses (tablet O, lines 11-15), quoted and transl. by Martin Beckmann. The texts are damaged and both dating formulas are corrupted; therefore, the precise days cannot be recovered. See Beckmann, op. cit., p.22.

3. Beckmann, op. cit., p. 46.

4. Beckmann, op. cit., p. 45.

5. Beckmann, op. cit., p. 50.

6. Sestertius Group 6, Beckmann, op. cit., Die Chart 15.

7. I have not been able to confirm the existence of the PIETAS AVG type paired with a veiled bust in the Vienna collection cited by Strack (RSC 253a) or to confirm it is not an unofficial issue. Celtic imitations and fourrée forgeries often pair veiled busts with reverses otherwise known only with bare-busted portraits.

8. Sestertius Group 8, Beckmann, op. cit., Die Chart 15.

9. Beckmann, op. cit., p. 44.

Edited January 6, 2023 by Roman Collector
Formatting

[ambr0zie]

I find architectural reverses very pleasant and historically important. 

Here is my example 

Diva Faustina I. Rome. Denarius AR, struck AD 150

18 mm, 3,29 g

DIVA FAVSTINA, bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top / AED DIV FAVSTINAE, hexastyle temple in which is seated a figure of Faustina Senior, outer most columns contain standing figure holding vertical lit torch, Victories as acroteria, peacock in pediment, roof surmounted by quadriga. RIC III Antoninus Pius 343; RSC 1; BMC 339

 

[Zarco]

@Roman Collector, your timing is perfect!  I just received my latest coin from CNG 529 today, but more about that in a bit.

Architectural types are my favorite.  That makes Antoninus Pius one of my favorite emperors to collect, since he issued so many coins with architectural reverses.  I especially like the coins of Faustina I with her temple on the reverse, since I had an opportunity to see it in person when I visited Rome 15 years ago.  

Here are three that were issued to commemorate the temple's dedication plus one from the second series of temple coinage issued in 150.  All coin photos are from sellers.

1.   PIETAS AVG Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR Denarius, 3.2 g, 17.9 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVG; Front view of temple, showing six columns on a podium of three steps: pediment and roof ornamented.
Refs: RIC 396, Sear RCV 4599.
Acquired from Germania Inferior Numismatics, 8 February 2021.

2.   PIETAS AVGVSTI Sestertius

This is the coin I just received from CNG today.  It would have made my 2022 top ten list had it arrived week sooner.  It's a real beauty!

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AE Sestertius, 23.6 g, 31.99 mm, 12 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved and coiled in bands across head and drawn up at back and piled in a round coil on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVGVSTI S C; Hexastyle temple on podium of four steps; on fastigium, quadriga; on angles, Victories.
Refs: RIC 1148, Sear RCV 4632.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 529, lot 680, 14 December 2022.
Ex Antonio Carmona Collection (Roma E-Sale 82, 15 April 2021), lot 1368.

3.  DEDICATIO AEDIS Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR denarius, 3.10 g, 18.3 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: DEDICATIO AEDIS; Hexastyle temple, on podium of four steps, with statues.
Refs: RIC 388, Sear RCV 4596.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 133rd Silver Auction, Lot 348, 15 May 2022.

4.  AED DIV FAVSTINAE Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR Denarius, 3.3 g, 18.3 mm, 11 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 150.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: AED DIV FAVSTINAE; Front view of Hexastyle temple in center of which is seated a statue of Faustina I; pediment is ornamented and roof has statues and quadriga as decoration.
Ref: RIC 343.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 429, Lot 339, 26 September 2018.
From the DMS Collection, purchased from Pegasi Numismatics, 26 March 2009.

As a bonus, here's a photo of the remains of the temple from 2008.  I still can't believe it was 15 years ago.  Tempus fugit!

[arizonarobin]

I was looking forward to Faustina Friday!

The Temple reverse is one of my favorite for The Elder Faustina. Here is mine:

DIVA - FAVSTINA
Draped bust right
AED DIV FAVSTINAE
Temple with six columns
RIC 343, S 4573
Ar Denarius; 18mm; 3.20g

[Roman Collector]

On 1/6/2023 at 4:47 AM, ambr0zie said:

I find architectural reverses very pleasant and historically important. 

Here is my example 

Diva Faustina I. Rome. Denarius AR, struck AD 150

18 mm, 3,29 g

DIVA FAVSTINA, bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top / AED DIV FAVSTINAE, hexastyle temple in which is seated a figure of Faustina Senior, outer most columns contain standing figure holding vertical lit torch, Victories as acroteria, peacock in pediment, roof surmounted by quadriga. RIC III Antoninus Pius 343; RSC 1; BMC 339

 

That's a nice example of the tenth death-anniversary denarius! I like how it depicts the seated figure of Faustina inside and how they had to put up a fence to protect the temple from graffiti writers and other hoodlums.

8 hours ago, Zarco said:

@Roman Collector, your timing is perfect!  I just received my latest coin from CNG 529 today, but more about that in a bit.

Architectural types are my favorite.  That makes Antoninus Pius one of my favorite emperors to collect, since he issued so many coins with architectural reverses.  I especially like the coins of Faustina I with her temple on the reverse, since I had an opportunity to see it in person when I visited Rome 15 years ago.  

Here are three that were issued to commemorate the temple's dedication plus one from the second series of temple coinage issued in 150.  All coin photos are from sellers.

1.   PIETAS AVG Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR Denarius, 3.2 g, 17.9 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVG; Front view of temple, showing six columns on a podium of three steps: pediment and roof ornamented.
Refs: RIC 396, Sear RCV 4599.
Acquired from Germania Inferior Numismatics, 8 February 2021.

2.   PIETAS AVGVSTI Sestertius

This is the coin I just received from CNG today.  It would have made my 2022 top ten list had it arrived week sooner.  It's a real beauty!

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AE Sestertius, 23.6 g, 31.99 mm, 12 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved and coiled in bands across head and drawn up at back and piled in a round coil on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVGVSTI S C; Hexastyle temple on podium of four steps; on fastigium, quadriga; on angles, Victories.
Refs: RIC 1148, Sear RCV 4632.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 529, lot 680, 14 December 2022.
Ex Antonio Carmona Collection (Roma E-Sale 82, 15 April 2021), lot 1368.

3.  DEDICATIO AEDIS Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR denarius, 3.10 g, 18.3 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: DEDICATIO AEDIS; Hexastyle temple, on podium of four steps, with statues.
Refs: RIC 388, Sear RCV 4596.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 133rd Silver Auction, Lot 348, 15 May 2022.

4.  AED DIV FAVSTINAE Denarius

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR Denarius, 3.3 g, 18.3 mm, 11 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 150.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: AED DIV FAVSTINAE; Front view of Hexastyle temple in center of which is seated a statue of Faustina I; pediment is ornamented and roof has statues and quadriga as decoration.
Ref: RIC 343.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 429, Lot 339, 26 September 2018.
From the DMS Collection, purchased from Pegasi Numismatics, 26 March 2009.

As a bonus, here's a photo of the remains of the temple from 2008.  I still can't believe it was 15 years ago.  Tempus fugit!

Beautiful coins and great photo of the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda! I am glad that sestertius went to a good home. I put in a conservative bid on it at the CNG auction because I was already bidding on the PIETAS AVG type up for auction at Naville (see my post, above) and I had Christmas to budget for.

6 hours ago, arizonarobin said:

I was looking forward to Faustina Friday!

The Temple reverse is one of my favorite for The Elder Faustina. Here is mine:

DIVA - FAVSTINA
Draped bust right
AED DIV FAVSTINAE
Temple with six columns
RIC 343, S 4573
Ar Denarius; 18mm; 3.20g

That's a very nice example of that tenth death-anniversary denarius! The flan on mine slipped through quality control.

[Marsyas Mike]

Terrific Faustina Friday as always, RC.  I have two of the sestertii, both in rather poor condition, though I like the top one's dark patina with sandy highlights and a handsome rendition of Faustina: 

This one came in an unattributed lot - pocket piece at best:

In the September/October issue of Archaeology magazine, there is a terrific feature article on Faustina's temple by landscape architect Eric Fulford (p. 54+).  Even better than the article are Fulford's illustrations of the changes made through time.  I couldn't find it online, so here are some horrible photos I took of my paper copy (which I bought on eBay for a few bucks) - these are not all the illustrations:

    

 

 

Here's a Royal Collection painting of the Temple just before the baroque got stuck to it:

https://www.rct.uk/collection/409046/the-temple-of-antoninus-and-faustina-rome

 

[Roman Collector]

26 minutes ago, Marsyas Mike said:

Terrific Faustina Friday as always, RC.  I have two of the sestertii, both in rather poor condition, though I like the top one's dark patina with sandy highlights and a handsome rendition of Faustina: 

This one came in an unattributed lot - pocket piece at best:

In the September/October issue of Archaeology magazine, there is a terrific feature article on Faustina's temple by landscape architect Eric Fulford (p. 54+).  Even better than the article are Fulford's illustrations of the changes made through time.  I couldn't find it online, so here are some horrible photos I took of my paper copy (which I bought on eBay for a few bucks) - these are not all the illustrations:

    

 

 

Here's a Royal Collection painting of the Temple just before the baroque got stuck to it:

https://www.rct.uk/collection/409046/the-temple-of-antoninus-and-faustina-rome

 

That's a fascinating article, @Marsyas Mike! Thanks for sharing. Your first example was struck with the reverse die Beckmann calls T12. He cites two examples, neither of which I can find illustrated online:

Münzzentrum 64, April 1988, 300
Glendining, 26 May 1959, 45 = Glendining 1952 = Banti 18.

The inscription on this die is PIETAS AVG S C and the figures on the acroteria appear to be Aeternitas holding a billowing veil overhead.

The bottom coin appears to have been struck with Beckmann's reverse die T7, also reading PIETAS AVG and with figures holding a billowing veil overhead on the acroteria. Beckmann cites three examples, not illustrated online:

Paris (BnF) 2614
Hirsch XXXIV, May 1914, 1149
Hirsch XVIII, May 1907, 939.

[Zarco]

Great article, @Marsyas Mike.  Thanks for posting.  I found a link to it on JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41766478

I like the patina on your first coin.

[Ryro]

Great write up my friend!

Here's my latest Faustina I, sans temple:

 

[Marsyas Mike]

1 hour ago, Roman Collector said:

That's a fascinating article, @Marsyas Mike! Thanks for sharing. Your first example was struck with the reverse die Beckmann calls T12. He cites two examples, neither of which I can find illustrated online:

Münzzentrum 64, April 1988, 300
Glendining, 26 May 1959, 45 = Glendining 1952 = Banti 18.

The inscription on this die is PIETAS AVG S C and the figures on the acroteria appear to be Aeternitas holding a billowing veil overhead.

The bottom coin appears to have been struck with Beckmann's reverse die T7, also reading PIETAS AVG and with figures holding a billowing veil overhead on the acroteria. Beckmann cites three examples, not illustrated online:

Paris (BnF) 2614
Hirsch XXXIV, May 1914, 1149
Hirsch XVIII, May 1907, 939.

Wow - thank for that information @Roman Collector.  As always on Faustina Friday, I always wind up updating my flip information and files.  All this information may not fit on a flip, but I will have it on file.  Again, thanks for the information - it does get used!