Latest Faustina I sestertius

This veiled bust sestertius was issued in AD 150 as part of a series of coins bearing the AETERNITAS reverse legend to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the empress' death.

This design was used for coins in all metals, and in a variety of bust types: bare-headed, veiled, and veiled and stephaned versions.

This example is an obverse die-match to one of the two examples in the British Museum collection.

Post anything you feel is relevant!


Faustina I, AD 138-141.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 24.12 g, 32.6 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 150.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, Bust of Faustina I, draped and veiled, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS S C, Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and long rudder, vertical in left hand.
Refs: RIC 1107b; BMCRE 1499-1500; Cohen 8; Strack 1267; RCV 4608 v.; Dinsdale 021000.
Notes: Obverse die-match to BMCRE 1499:



The denarius version, with bare-headed and veiled bust types:


Faustina Sr, AD 138-141
Roman AR denarius, 3.83 g, 18.2 mm, 5 h.
Rome, AD 150/151.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing left, holding globe and rudder.
Refs: RIC 348a; BMCRE 360 ff; Cohen 6; RCV 4577.
Notes: Overstruck on a previously issued coin; undertype likely a CONCORDIA seated issue of Sabina.


Faustina Sr, AD 138-141.
Roman AR denarius, 3.23 g, 18.6 mm, 6 h.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust, right
Rev: AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing left, holding globe and rudder
Refs: RIC 348b; BMCRE 367; Cohen 7; RCV 4577 var. (bust).

And a dupondius version, demonstrating the veiled and stephaned bust type:


Faustina I, AD 138-141.
Roman orichalcum dupondius, 10.62 g, 28.1 mm, 7 h.
Rome, AD 147-161 (probably AD 150/51).
Obv: DIVA FAV-STINA, diademed, veiled and draped bust, right.
Rev: AETER-NITAS S C, Fortuna standing left, holding globe and rudder.
Refs: RIC 1160b; BMCRE4 1557 var. (bust); Cohen 9; RCV 4640 var. (bust); ERIC II 356.

 

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Wonderful new addition! I love seeing your collection of these veiled bust types! As I've mentioned before, it made me go get this one...


Faustina I, Wife Of Antoninus Pius
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint
Struck in 151 AD as 10-year remembrance of her death.
Obverse: DIVA FAVSTINA, veiled bust right with stephane.
Reverse: AETER-NITAS, Fortuna standing left holding globe and rudder.
References: RIC III 1107c
Size: 33mm, 23.9g

 

Beautiful Faustina I coins!

 

Just got this one, pretty new to ancients and never posted a picture. Hope it works.

 

Welcome to ancient coins, @l.cutler ! I love the coins of the Antonine dynasty, particularly Faustina I.

You have a very interesting coin; the identity of the goddess on the reverse is a matter of some debate in the numismatic community and the coin comes with three different obverse inscriptions. Here's a thread you may be interested in.

Here's the example of your coin in my Faustina I collection:


Faustina I, AD 138-140/1.
Roman AR Denarius, 3.47 g, 18.1 mm, 6 h.
Rome mint, under Antoninus Pius, AD 140-147.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: AETER-NITAS, Goddess standing front, head right, right hand drawing back fold of veil and holding transverse scepter in left; the middle of her body is seen bare, sown with stars.
Refs: RIC 346b; BMC 280-84; RSC 41; Strack 418; RCV --; CRE 145; Dinsdale 019090.

 

Thanks! That's what my coin used to look like! Although mine has the more common obverse legend. Thanks for the additional info. these coins are just so much more interesting than modern coins with a known mintage, varieties etc.