EX SOTHEBY'S 1908. EX MERZBACHER 1910. EX M&M BASEL 1960.
Diva Faustina I. - Died 141 AD. Aureus, 7.21g (6h). Rome. Died 140 AD. Obv: DIVA AVGVS - TA FAVSTINA Draped, veiled bust right wearing stephane decorated with string of pearls. Rx: No legend. Front view of temple, showing six columns, on podium of five steps; behind the columns, wall of stone blocks with entryway at center; in the pediment, standing nude figure extending right hand in center, between two smaller figures and further uncertain objects in the corners; atop the pediment, facing quadriga in center, driven by figure with drapery blown out in circle above head, between two frontal Victories on corners, each holding up a round shield. Calicó 1742 (same obv. die). Beckmann, Diva Faustina, p. 118, T6/daf10, c (this coin). BMC p. 51 and RIC 406B (both citing Revue belge 1880, p. 61 for this bust type). Bust var. of Cohen 317 (no source, 100 Fr.). Very rare: Beckmann found only 11 aurei with this reverse type, coming from seven reverse dies. Exceptional reverse detail. Choice VF+ with some cabinet wear

Ex M&MAG XXI, 19 March 1960, lot 53. Ex Merzbacher, 15 November 1910, lot 1736. Ex Sotheby, 13-23 July 1908, O'Hagan, lot 395

Notes
This type apparently commemorates the dedication of the Temple of Diva Faustina, since on sestertii and denarii the same type was labeled DEDICATIO AEDIS, after a construction period of only some three or four years, since our aureus obverse die and a number of others that were used with the same Temple reverse type also share a PIETAS AVG reverse die showing Pietas sacrificing with an obverse die of Antoninus Pius dated COS III (140-144 AD): see Beckmann, Diva Faustina, pp. 42-46. Faustina's temple was later dedicated to Divus Antoninus Pius too, and much of it still stands on the Roman Forum today, incorporated into the church of S. Lorenzo. The Temple reverse die of our coin is also noteworthy for two details: it shows a broader entryway into the masonry wall of the cella, not confined to the central intercolumniation as on other dies, but beginning in the second intercolumniation and extending into the fourth; and it seems to be alone in showing drapery billowing around the head of the driver of the frontal quadriga that surmounts the apex of the pediment