Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 26 mm, 10.53 g, 12 h), Rome, 141. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III Radiate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. ROMAE AETERNAE / S C Decastyle Temple of Venus and Roma with statues on roof and in pediment. BMC 1345. Cohen 701. RIC 664. Well struck and with a lovely architectural reverse. Somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.


The temple on the reverse of this dupondius was dedicated to Venus and Roma. Conceived as a dual sanctuary, it was designed by the renowned architect Apollodorus of Damascus during Hadrian's era, yet its completion and consecration occurred under Antoninus Pius. Spanning an impressive 140 x 100 meters, it claimed the title of Rome's grandest temple.