Hope @Roman Collector will not get mad on me for a Faustina ... Sunday. In the last Savoca auction I had a few targets. Most of them were missed. Either I was too optimistic (not usually the case when it comes to auctions) or the prices went really insane. Yesterday I had a pleasant surprise, getting a coin I was not optimistic about - as the price I was willing to pay seemed small. Actually it was more than enough. Today, day 2 - my main target and a coin I was waiting with high hopes. Especially since it was sold 2 weeks ago (I didn't participate in that auction), the winner probably didn't pay it, I would have been happy with that price, I was prepared to pay even more ... and the hammer price was 50% more than 2 weeks ago. Others had similar situations and on a few coins the price was too rich for me even in prebid stage. So I decided to stalk the auction and see what interesting coins go under the radar. Turned out to be a Faustina II Sunday. I am not an expert in Faustina II coins (had 2 denarii and 2 provincials until today) but I find her portraits really pleasant + a variety of reverses. Always admired her coins showing children, especially the pulvinar coins (managed to lose two of them today due to a bad strategy) but stole this one, I find it very satisfying. A little chipped and slightly rugged, but Faustina's portrait and the beautiful reverse made me very happy for spotting it and winning it. I will use @DonnaML's description from here (hope you will not mind, Donna) as I think this is the most complete description for this coin Faustina II AD 147-175. Rome Denarius AR AD 160 17 mm, 3,16 g FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right, hair in chignon behind / FECVND AVGVSTAE, Faustina as Fecunditas, standing front, head left, holding infant in each arm, two other young children standing beside her to left and right, holding onto her gown RIC III Marcus Aurelius 676, RSC II 95, Sear RCV II 5251, BMCRE 89 From the same thread I found out that the 4 children on the reverse are Annia Faustina, Lucilla, Fadilla and Cornificia. After getting this, I managed to steal a coin honoring Faustina II after her death. Diva Faustina II after AD 175-176. Rome Denarius AR 18 mm, 2,71 g 176-180 DIVA FAVSTINA PIA, Bust of Diva Faustina II, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right / CONSECRATIO, Rectangular altar, with horns at left and right, and door on front (sometimes decorated with palms) RIC III Marcus Aurelius 746; RSC 75 I like Consecratio coins, even if they are sad in concept. Having 2 from Faustina I demanded one from Faustina II. And on this one I especially like the Faustina's majestic portrait, a true sign of the great honor of her memory. My last consolation prize was a denarius from Maximinus Thrax, I will post it in the near future. Not pristine condition, but not bad at all and ticked a box I tried to fulfill for a few months - a coin that shows his acromegaly. These 3 denarii costed less (much less) than the hammer price for my lost main target, and to be perfectly honest, I am happier this way, since that one was not rare or in a fantastic condition, but somebody wanted it badly. Again, with @Roman Collector's permission for luring into his territory, please post - newly acquired Faustina II coins - coins with children - coins honoring a deceased person - "consolation prizes" - after you missed your main targets in an auction, you reoriented and got others that made you quite content.
Nice pickups, @ambr0zie - here's my scruffy 4 kids denarius, RIC 676: Here's just one kid - RIC 677, I think. Legend is split on this one, unlike the continuous legend above: Faustina II Denarius (145-161 A.D.) Rome Mint FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right / FECVNDITAS, Fecunditas standing right, holding sceptre and child. RIC 677 (Aurelius); BMCRE 91 (Aurelius); RSC 99. (3.09 grams / 18 mm) eBay June 2019
Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.7g). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 154-157. Draped bust right / Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet to left, peacock standing left. RIC III 688 (Aurelius); RSC 120.