Coins and Antiquities Consignment Shop
  10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Please Call Us If You Have Questions 252-646-1958 Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Internet Challenged? We Are Happy To Take Your Order Over The Phone 252-646-1958 Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!!

×Catalog Main Menu
Fine Coins Showcase

Antiquities Showcase
New & Reduced


Hide empty categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
   View Categories
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Adoptive Emperors| ▸ |Faustina Jr.||View Options:  |  |  |   

Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius

The daughter, wife, and mother of emperors and empresses, Faustina II was born around 130 A.D. to Antoninus Pius and Faustina I. She was married to her cousin Marcus Aurelius in 145 A.D. In 146 A.D., she gave birth to the first of 14 children. To celebrate this occasion she was given the title of Augusta, which technically made her superior in rank to her husband. Faustina II was a devoted wife and mother and accompanied her husband on all his military campaigns. Her son Commodus went on to become emperor after his fathers' death, and her daughter Lucilla became Augusta when she married Lucius Verus. She died in the city of Halala in Anatolia in 175 A.D., plagued by baseless rumors about her infidelity. She was deified soon after and a grand temple was erected to her in the city where she died.

|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||aureus|
In April 145, Marcus married Faustina, as had been planned since 138. Since Marcus was, by adoption, Antoninus Pius' son, under Roman law he was marrying his sister; Antoninus would have had to formally release one or the other from his paternal authority (his patria potestas) for the ceremony to take place. Little is specifically known of the ceremony, but it is said to have been noteworthy. Coins were issued with the heads of the couple, and Antoninus, as Pontifex Maximus, would have officiated. Marcus makes no apparent reference to the marriage in his surviving letters, and only sparing references to Faustina.
SH17280. Gold aureus, RIC III AP513b, Cohen III 247, VF, slight flan bend and finders mark on reverse, weight 7.133 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, struck under Antoninus Pius, 148 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust right with head bare, hair waved and coiled on back of head; reverse VENVS, Venus standing slightly left, apple in right hand, long scepter vertical in left hand; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||denarius|
Although many coin references classify Fecunditas as a personification of fertility rather than as an actual deity, Fecunditas was recognized as a Roman divinity by Nero, who erected a statue to her. Tacitus notes that upon the birth of Claudia Neronis, the senate decreed the construction of a temple of Fertility to be built at Antium. Fecunditas is always portrayed as a female figure holding a child, or children and often a scepter, cornucopia, palm branch or caduceus. Sometimes the children are depicted standing at her feet. Coins portraying her usually advertise the fertility of the imperial family.
SH77006. Silver denarius, RIC III MA676, RSC II 95, BMCRE IV MA89, MIR 18 10, SRCV II 5251, Choice EF, toned, superb strike with sharp dies, slightly ragged edge, among the finest known examples of the type, weight 3.331 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161 - 175 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right; reverse FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas standing facing, head left, cradling an infant in each arm, flanked by two children standing at feet; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex Harlan J. Berk; SOLD


Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D.

|Marcus| |Aurelius|, |Marcus| |Aurelius,| |7| |March| |161| |-| |17| |March| |180| |A.D.||sestertius|
This type was issued to commemorate the marriage between Marcus Aurelius caesar and Faustina Junior.
RB99760. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC III AP1253a (R); BMCRE IV p. 289, 1786; Cohen III 1022; Hunter II p. 293, 104; SRCV II 4824 var. (head left), aVF, well centered on a tight flan, light corrosion pitting, weight 25.841 g, maximum diameter 30.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, as caesar, 145 A.D.; obverse AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS II, bare head right; reverse VOTA PVBLICA (Vows (prayers) of the Roman people), Faustina Junior, on left, and Marcus Aurelius, togate on right, standing vis-à-vis, clasping right hands, behind them Concordia standing facing, head right, placing her hands on their shoulders, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; rare; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||sestertius|
Venus (Aphrodite) can be faulted for the Trojan War. Upset that she was not invited to a wedding, she went anyway and maliciously left a golden apple inscribed "For the fairest" on the banquet table. The goddesses, as Aphrodite expected, argued who was the rightful possessor of this prize. It was determined the most handsome mortal in the world, a noble Trojan youth named Paris, would decide. Each of the three finalists offered Paris a bribe. Hera promised he would rule the world. Athena said she would make him victorious in battle. Aphrodite guaranteed the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. This was Helen, who was married to the king of Sparta. Paris awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite. Aphrodite enabled Paris to elope with Helen, Helen of Troy. Helen's husband raised a Greek army to retrieve his wife, starting the Trojan War.
SH73705. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC III AP1388b; BMCRE IV AP2147; Hunter II p. 300, 30; Cohen III 268; SRCV II 4720, VF, nice style, well centered, flan crack, weight 24.039 g, maximum diameter 35.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, struck under Antoninus Pius, 148 - 152 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust right with head bare, hair waved and coiled chignon tied with double band of pearls on back of head; reverse VENVS, Venus standing half left, apple in right hand, grounded rudder in left hand, dolphin coiled around rudder, S - C low across field; SOLD


Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Provincial Egypt

|Roman| |Egypt|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius,| |Roman| |Provincial| |Egypt||drachm|
Tyche was the presiding tutelary deity who governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. In mythology, she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Zeus or Hermes. Polybius wrote that when no cause can be discovered for events such as floods, droughts, frosts, or even in politics, then the cause was likely Tyche. In the Hellenistic period, cities began venerating iconic versions of Tyche specific to their city. This practice continued even into the Christian period but by then the Tyche were probably seen as merely personifications of the city with little religious significance. Roma was depicted in military garb. Constantinopolis carried a cornucopia. The Tyche of Antioch had the river god Orontes swimming at her feet. The Tyche of Alexandria usually stood holding grain and resting her foot on the prow of a ship.
RX92513. Bronze drachm, Geissen 1965; BMC Alexandria p. 164, 1337; RPC Online IV.4 13740; Dattari 3298 var. (date arrangement); Milne 2150 var. (same); Emmett 2006/15 (R2), VF, well centered on a tight ragged irregular flan, dark tone, highlighting chalky encrustations, scratches and bumps, some scattered small pits, weight 25.844 g, maximum diameter 35.0 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 151 - 28 Aug 152 A.D.; obverse ΦAVCTIN CEB EVCEB ΘVΓ, draped bust of Faustina right; reverse Tyche reclining left on a couch, base of couch adorned with garlands, kalathos on head, wearing chiton and peplos, rudder held by tiller in right hand, propping head with left hand, L IE (year 15) upper left; from the Errett Bishop Collection; scarce; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||as|
Victory seems an odd attribute for the goddess of love but both Sulla and Pompey dreamed of Venus Victrix. Julius Caesar, who claimed Venus as his ancestor, sacrificed to her and she ensured he was always victorious. This dedication to Victrix on the reverse of Faustina II's coinage, not only appealed to Venus for her aid to the legions, but also reminded the Romans that the empress accompanied her husband and the legions on campaign.
RB92456. Bronze as, RIC III MA1680 (R); BMCRE IV p. 543, MA999; Cohen III 241; SRCV II 5305; Hunter II p. 360, 78, VF, dark burgundy and black patina, well centered, bumps, marks, areas of light corrosion, weight 11.911 g, maximum diameter 26.5 mm, die axis 195o, Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161 - 175 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in waves and bun at the back; reverse VENERI VICTRICI (to victorious Venus), Venus standing right, nude to the waist, both hands holding the right arm of Mars, Mars standing front, nude, helmeted head left, shield on his left arm, parazonium at left side, S - C (senatus consulto) across field; from the Errett Bishop Collection; rare; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||denarius|
"Saeculi Felicitas" means happy times, referring to the empire's new heirs. The two infants are the twin sons of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior, Commodus and Antoninus, born 31 August 161, at Lanuvium, near Rome. Antoninus died at age four. Commodus succeeded Marcus Aurelius as emperor.
SH54388. Silver denarius, RIC III MA712; RSC II 191; BMCRE IV MA139; Hunter II p. 352, 16; SRCV II 5260, about Mint State, weight 3.468 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right; reverse SAECVLI FELICIT, two infant boys seated facing on a draped throne; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||denarius|
In Roman religion, Concordia was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. The cult of Concordia Augusta ("Majestic Harmony") was of special importance to the imperial household. She is usually depicted wearing a long cloak and holding a patera (sacrificial bowl), a cornucopia (symbol of prosperity), or a caduceus (symbol of peace).
RS21721. Silver denarius, SRCV II 4703, RIC III Pius 500b (FAVSTINAE in error), nice VF, weight 2.934 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, struck under Antoninus Pius, 152 - 154 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, draped bust right; reverse CONCORDIA (harmony), Concordia standing slightly right, head right, cornucopia turned inward in left hand; SOLD


|Faustina| |Jr.|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius||sestertius|
Faustina Junior and Marcus Aurelius had 14 children. Commodus was the tenth of the fourteen children and the only son to survive. His twin brother Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antonius died at the age of four.
SH57723. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC III MA1673, BMCRE IV 949, Cohen III 222, Hunter II 72, Cayon III 104, Szaivert MIR 31, SRCV II 5284 var. (diademed), VF, excellent portrait, well centered and struck, area of corrosion on reverse, weight 26.664 g, maximum diameter 32.2 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, Sep 161 - 164 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in a bun at the back; reverse TEMPOR FELIC (happy times), Fecunditas standing left, cradling two infants one in each arm (Commodus and his twin brother Antoninus, born on 31 Aug 161), flanked by four additional children (Fadilla, Cornificia, Faustina III, and Lucilla) standing at her feet, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; attractive big bronze; SOLD


Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Provincial Egypt

|Roman| |Egypt|, |Faustina| |Junior,| |Augusta| |146| |-| |Winter| |175/176| |A.D.,| |Wife| |of| |Marcus| |Aurelius,| |Roman| |Provincial| |Egypt||tetradrachm|
Isis was an Egyptian goddess, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshiped as the ideal mother, wife, matron of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as listening to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers. Isis is the Goddess of motherhood and fertility.
RX92515. Billon tetradrachm, RPC Online IV.4 T13735 (9 spec.); Dattari-Savio 3270; Geissen 1960; Milne 2143; Kampmann 38.66; Emmett 1951/15 (R4), Choice VF, well centered, toned, weight 13.999 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 151 - 28 Aug 152 A.D.; obverse ΦAVCTINA CEB CEB EV ΘVΓ, draped bust right; reverse Isis-Tyche standing slightly left, head right, crowned with plumes, grounded rudder held by tiller in right hand, statuette of Hermes in extended left hand, Hermes wearing a hem-hem crown and holding bag and caduceus, IE - L (year 15) divided across field; from the Errett Bishop Collection; only two sales of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades; rare; SOLD




  




You are viewing a SOLD items page.
Click here to return to the page with AVAILABLE items.
The sale price for a sold item is the private information of the buyer and will not be provided.



OBVERSE LEGENDS

DIVAAVGFAVSTINA
DIVAFAVSTINAPIA
DIVAEFAVSTINAVGMATRCASTROR
DIVAEFAVSTINAEPIAE
FAVSTINAAVGANTONINIAVG
FAVSTINAAVGANTONINIAVGPIIFIL
FAVSTINAAVGPIIAVGFIL
FAVSTINAAVGVSTA
FAVSTINAAVGVSTAAVGPIIF
FAVSTINAAVGVSTAAVGPIIFIL
FAVSTINAAVGVSTAPIIAVGFIL
FAVSTINAEAVGANTONINIAVGPIIFIL
FAVSTINAEAVGPIIAVGF
FAVSTINAEAVGPIIAVGFIL


REFERENCES

Banti, A. & L. Simonetti. Corpus Nummorum Romanorum. (Florence, 1972-1979).
Calicó, E. The Roman Avrei, Vol. I: From the Republic to Pertinax, 196 BC - 193 AD. (Barcelona, 2003).
Cayón, J. Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano, Vol. III: De Marco Aurelio a Caracalla (Del 161 d.C. al 217 d.C.). (Madrid, 1984).
Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'Empire Romain, Vol. 3: Marcus Aurelius to Clodius Albinus. (Paris, 1883).
Mattingly, H. & E. Sydenham. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. III: Antoninus Pius to Commodus. (London, 1930).
Mattingly, H. & R. Carson. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol. 4: Antoninus Pius to Commodus. (London, 1940).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet. II. Trajan to Commodus (London, 1971).
Szaivert, W. Moneta Imperii Romani, Die Münzprägung der Kaiser Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus un Commodus (161-192). (Vienna, 1984).
Seaby, H. & R. Loosley. Roman Silver Coins, Vol. II: Tiberius to Commodus. (London, 1979).
Sear, D. Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. II: The Accession of Nerva to the Overthrow of the Severan Dynasty AD 96 - AD 235. (London, 2002).
Strack, P. Untersuchungen zur römischen Reichsprägung des zweiten Jahrhunderts, Teil III: Die Reichsprägung zur Zeit Antoninus Pius. (Stuttgart, 1937).
Toynbee, J. Roman medallions. ANSNS 5. (New York, 1944).
Vagi, D. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. (Sidney, 1999).

Catalog current as of Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Page created in 1.25 seconds.
All coins are guaranteed for eternity