Faustina the Younger, Roman Empire, sestertius, ca. 161–164 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [F]AVSTINA AVGV[STA], diademed portrait right. Rev: IV[NONI] REGINAE, S-C, Iuno standing left with patera and sceptre, peacock left. 30mm, 27g. Ref: RIC III, 1651.
A few ladies who I don't feel get quite as much credit as they deserve Salonina Galeria Valeria Fausta Didia Clara Tranquillina Agrippina And this one is "Aphrodite" but since the other side is the actual Cilician satrap, who's to say it isn't his wife?
Otacilia Severa (wife of Philip I, mother of Philip II). AR antoninianus, Rome, 249 CE; 21mm, 3.69g, 12h. RIC IV 125c, RSC 4. Obv: M • OTACIL SEVERA AVG; diademed and draped bust r. on crescent. Rx: CONCORDIA AVGG; Concordia seated l., holding patera and double cornucopia. EF. ---------------------------------- Salonina (wife of Gallienus). Billon antoninianus, Antioch, c. 267 CE; 20mm, 4.47g, 6h. RIC V S86; RSC 113. Obv: SALONINA AVG; diademed bust draped r., on crescent. Rx: VENVS AVG; Venus standing l., holding helmet and spear; beside her, shield; PXV in exergue. ---------------------------------- Helena (mother of Constantine I). c. 250–330 CE (Augusta 306–30 CE). Æ3, Antioch, c. 327–8 CE; 20mm, 3.58g, 6h. C 12, cf. LRBC 1355 (SMANTA mintmark), RIC VII 80b (R5), Sear 16227. Obv: FL HELENA AVGVSTA; diademed and mantled bust r., wearing earrings and necklace. Rx: SECVRITAS – REIPVBLICE; Securitas standing l., lowering branch with r. hand, raising hem of robe with l. hand; SMANTB in exergue. Very rare with this mintmark, more common with • [dot] SMANTB.
Ken Dorney. If it's any help, Richard Abdy, Curator of Roman Coins, Dept of Coins & Medals, British Museum. A book, "Coins and the Bible", by Richard Abdy and Amelia Dowler, British Museum.- A first step ?
The only other non-mythological ladies in my collection (apparently they are grossly under-represented):
Truly beautiful silver Sabina, Ken! I, like you, tend to have a greater affinity for the bronze, but I wouldn't have passed that coin up either... She a keeper! Faustina Jr Fecunditas Sestertius Lucilla Fecunditas Sestertius Sabina Concordia Sestertius
I was always captivated by these 3 ladies of Capua. During the occupation of Capua, Hannibal promised the Magistrates that should he destroy Rome, Capua would be the Capital of Italia. However, Hannibal lost, and the Romans confiscated and destroyed as much of Capuan coinage they could find. Not many left... HERA Campania CAPUA AE 14-5mm 216-211 Hera Oscan Grain ear Hannibal capital Italia SNG Fr 517 SNG ANS 219 HN Italy 500 EE Clain Stefanelli DIANA Campania CAPUA AE Uncia 216-211 BCE Diana Boar Hannibal capital Italia SCARCE JUNO Campania CAPUA AE Semuncia 216-211 BCE Juno Xoanon Hannibal capital Italia SCARCE
..and i reckon Faustina jr. had to be purdy because i've not seen any coins of her likeness that would suggest otherwise, just on some purdier than others(@TIF), but always purdy.
I am kinda bummed... this Gal seems to NEVER get respect... and she is a GODDESS! DALI Kolchis 5th-4th C BCE BI hemidrachm 11.5mm 1.8g Archaic female head - Georgian goddess Dali - Bull head border SNG Cop 98 She was the Hunting Goddess of the Kolchis / Colchis area (think Jason and the Golden Fleece). She was described as a beautiful nude woman with golden hair and glowing skin... (She is not nude here...) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dali_(goddess) http://www.great-adventures.com/destinations/rep_georgia/colchis.html
Faustina Senior and Junior are my favorites. Here is my Faustina Junior. Just purchased a lifetime Senior today. Lucilla is next on my shopping list! Nice ladies’ portraits are fun to collect.