Here is a rare & nice Faustina ii Tet I got. One of my new favorites. Faustina Jr. (147 - 175 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: Draped bust right R:Isis Pharia standing right, holding sistrum and billowing sail; L I Z (Year 17) across field. Stuck 153-154 A.D. 12g 23mm Dattari (Savio) 3250; K&G 38.86; Emmett 1949.17.
Oooh! That's lovely! Not only do I love Faustina II coins, but I've always wanted an Isis Pharia reverse type. Congrats! No doubt you're happy to have acquired this one. I have only a single Alexandrian tet of Faustina II: Faustina Jr, AD 161-175 Billon Tetradrachm; 13.82 g, 23.2 mm Alexandria, AD 148/9 Obv: ΦΑΥCΤΙΝΑ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, pearl-diademed and draped bust, right Rev: L ΔѠΔЄΚΑΤΟΥ (regnal year 12 of Antoninus Pius), Dikaiosyne seated left, holding scales and cornucopiae Refs: Köln 1944; Dattari 3238; BMC 1317; Emmett 1938.
LIZ would be year 17. I would love to see a LIA year 11 which would be her first year. We really should always state 'under Pius' or 'under Aurelius' for Faustina but it appears there is no overlap since Pius was 11-24 followed by Aurelius 2-10. If Aurelius had lived another year, we could have had the interesting situation where her first and last year coins would have both been year 11. Your coin is also interesting as a scarce example of a legend starting upper right and finishing upper left. Roman Collector's coin also shows this. Were that my coin, it would be one of my favorites, too.
As a patroness of navigation Isis Pharia may be declaring "Fair winds and following seas" to the Roman navy Excellent pick-up.
I really like the reverse imagery and the clear legends on the obverse. Seems that so many of the legends on the Alexandrian issues do not make it to the present day. Nice job
Shes made a few auction appearances too. Forgot to include it. Ex. Roma Numismatics E-Sale 16; Lot 306. Feb. 28, 2015 Ex. Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung Auction 247; Lot 4627. March 10, 2017
