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