Faustina II (Junior), wife of Marcus Aurelius. A.D. 147-175. Gold Aureus (7.32g). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, circa A.D. 161. Draped bust left, hair waved and gathered in a bun / Diana Lucifera standing left, holding a transverse lighted torch in both hands. RIC 673; Calico 2051. Perfectly centred on both sides, with full, well-defined dotted borders on the obverse and sharp details. A coin of outstanding freshness and eye appeal, undoubtedly among the very finest known examples of the type. gEF. For comparable examples see; NYS Auction 57, lot 168 (10 January 2023), hammered USD 6,500, a lower-graded piece with surface problems (Ch XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, brushed); CNG Auction 94, lot 1175 (18 September 2013), hammered USD 11,000; and Baldwin's Auction 99, lot 26 (4 May 2016), hammered USD 12,500. All three are clearly inferior in both style and preservation when compared with the present specimen. (P)

ROMAN. Faustina II (Junior), wife of Marcus Aurelius. A.D. 147-175. Gold Aureus (7.32g). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, circa A.D. 161. Draped bust left, hair waved and gathered in a bun / Diana Lucifera standing left, holding a transverse lighted torch in both hands. RIC 673; Calico 2051. Perfectly centred on both sides, with full, well-defined dotted borders on the obverse and sharp details. A coin of outstanding freshness and eye appeal, undoubtedly among the very finest known examples of the type. gEF. For comparable examples see; NYS Auction 57, lot 168 (10 January 2023), hammered USD 6,500, a lower-graded piece with surface problems (Ch XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5, brushed); CNG Auction 94, lot 1175 (18 September 2013), hammered USD 11,000; and Baldwin's Auction 99, lot 26 (4 May 2016), hammered USD 12,500. All three are clearly inferior in both style and preservation when compared with the present specimen. (P)

Estimate: AUD 25000