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<p>[QUOTE="Roman Collector, post: 7810300, member: 75937"]TGIFF! Party down!! It's Faustina Friday!!! <font size="3"><--exclamation point inflation. Crazy, like the price of <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-shocker-at-heritage-last-night.384500/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-shocker-at-heritage-last-night.384500/">Philip I antoniniani in slabs at Heritage</a>.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.redd.it/xoqwc64xd9jz.gif" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Early last month, <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-saecvli-felicit-the-happiness-of-the-age.382908/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-saecvli-felicit-the-happiness-of-the-age.382908/">I discussed an issue</a> celebrating the birth of Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus and his twin brother, Commodus, in AD 161. That reverse type features the inscription SAECVLI FELICIT (<i>sæculi felicitas</i> or <i>felicitati</i>), meaning "the happiness of the age," and depicts the heir and his younger twin Commodus on a <i>pulvinar</i>, a couch dedicated to the gods.</p><p><br /></p><p>That installment of Faustina Friday told only half the story. In addition to the SAECVLI FELICIT issue, another large series of coins was issued in all metals to celebrate the twins' birth. These coins bear the nearly synonymous reverse inscription TEMPOR FELIC (<i>temporum felicitas</i> or <i>felicitati</i>), meaning "the happiness of the times."</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.gifer.com/origin/77/7793b684a1e2c501cbbbf3f1ca8bb8ff.gif" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The Latin word <i>felicitas</i> not only means happiness, but carries strong connotations of fruitfulness and fertility,[1] and the inscription may be well-translated as "the fruitfulness of the times," very appropriate for a coin commemorating an imperial birth. The coins depict a female figure, the identity of which nobody can agree on,[2] standing left, holding an infant in each arm while four other children stand at her feet, vying for their mother's attention. Although none of the reverse figures are explicitly identified, the symbolism of the design is clear: it represents the growing imperial family. Faustina had just given birth to twin boys and already had four living children, her daughters Lucilla, Faustina III, <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-juno-lucina-and-the-birth-of-fadilla.378267/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-juno-lucina-and-the-birth-of-fadilla.378267/">Fadilla</a>, and <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-life-and-tragic-death-of-cornificia.365819/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-life-and-tragic-death-of-cornificia.365819/">Cornificia</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>We don't know for sure which of the two issues to commemorate the birth came first. Beckmann, in his die-linkage study of the aurei of Faustina II, found no die links whatsoever between the SAECVLI FELICIT and the TEMPOR FELIC issue. However, the TEMPOR FELIC issue forms the beginning of a long die chain in which several SALVTI AVGVSTAE ("for the health of the empress") reverse dies immediately follow.[3] Beckmann further notes, "it is hard to avoid the conclusion that this indicates a major crisis in the health of Faustina."[4] For this reason, I propose that the SAECVLI FELICIT/infants on pulvinar issue preceded the TEMPOR FELIC one, because the latter was quickly followed by the SALVTI AVGVSTAE issue. I wonder if the empress suffered obstetrical complications not otherwise attested in the scanty historical records of this era.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coins of the TEMPOR FELIC issue depict the empress either bare-headed (all metals), or wearing the <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-stephane-on-roman-imperial-coins.377542/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-stephane-on-roman-imperial-coins.377542/">stephane</a> (AR and Æ), a crown worn only by goddesses and the empress. Some dies, such as used to strike [USER=110350]@DonnaML[/USER]'s <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/two-new-sestertii-faustina-ii-variation-unlisted-in-ric-maximinus-thrax.377844/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/two-new-sestertii-faustina-ii-variation-unlisted-in-ric-maximinus-thrax.377844/">sestertius</a>, depict the boys with a star above each of their heads, likening them to the Dioscuri. The symbolism would have been clear to the Roman people. By appearing on coins with the headgear of the gods and with the stars of the Dioscuri, the Empress and her boys should be considered the earthly equivalents of the gods.</p><p><br /></p><p>I illustrate below all coins issued with this reverse type. Unless otherwise noted (the aureus and the denarius with the stephaned bust), all those illustrated are from my own collection. <i>Please post anything you feel is relevant!</i></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341535[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Roman Ꜹ aureus, RIC 718 corr.[5]; BMCRE <a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_R-12601" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_R-12601" rel="nofollow">155</a>; Cohen 220. British Museum Collection.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341536[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina II, AD 147-175.</font></p><p><font size="3"> Roman AR denarius, 3.10 g, 17.7 mm, 5 h.</font></p><p><font size="3"> Rome, AD 161.</font></p><p><font size="3"> Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.</font></p><p><font size="3"> Rev: TEMPOR FELIC, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing.</font></p><p><font size="3"> Refs: RIC 719; BMC 156-157; RSC 221; RCV 5263; CRE 179; MIR 31-4/10a.</font></p><p><font size="3">Note: The coin well illustrates the "<a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-–-the-all-round-legends-of-december-160-–-163.382589/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-–-the-all-round-legends-of-december-160-–-163.382589/">all-round legends</a>" as used December 160 - 163.</font></p><p><font size="3"><br /></font></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341537[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Denarius with stephaned bust, RIC —; BMCRE <a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1912-0710-279" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1912-0710-279" rel="nofollow">158</a>; RSC 221a. British Museum Collection.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341539[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina II, AD 147-175.</font></p><p><font size="3">Roman orichalcum sestertius, 23.99 g, 31.7 mm, 11 h.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rome, AD 161.</font></p><p><font size="3">Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing.</font></p><p><font size="3">Refs: RIC 1673; BMCRE 949-951; Cohen 222; RCV 5284 var. (no stephane); MIR 31-6/10a, b.</font></p><p><font size="3">Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341540[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina II, AD 147-175.</font></p><p><font size="3">Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.64 g, 30.0 mm, 12 h.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rome, AD 161.</font></p><p><font size="3">Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust, right, wearing stephane.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing.</font></p><p><font size="3">Refs: RIC 1674; BMCRE 952-955; Cohen 224; RCV 5284; MIR 31-6/10b diad.</font></p><p><font size="3">Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341541[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina II, AD 147-175.</font></p><p><font size="3">Roman Æ as or dupondius, 11.55 g, 28.2 mm, 11 h.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rome, AD 161.</font></p><p><font size="3">Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing.</font></p><p><font size="3">Refs: RIC 1675; BMCRE 996-997; Cohen 223; RCV 5304 var. (no stephane); MIR 31-7/10a, b.</font></p><p><font size="3">Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1341542[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina II, AD 147-175.</font></p><p><font size="3">Roman Æ as or dupondius, 12.56 g, 25.0 mm, 11 h.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rome, AD 161.</font></p><p><font size="3">Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust, right, wearing stephane.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing.</font></p><p><font size="3">Refs: RIC 1676; BMCRE 998; Cohen 225; RCV 5304; MIR 31-7/10b diad.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>~~~</p><p><br /></p><p>Notes</p><p><br /></p><p>1. <i>A Latin Dictionary Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary: revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D</i>. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1879. Online version available at the Perseus Project; s.v. <a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3Dfelicitas1" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3Dfelicitas1" rel="nofollow"><i>felicitas</i> I</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Sulzer describes the figure as "<i>figura muliebris</i>" (<i>female figure</i>; p. 182). Wiczay describes her as "mul." (<i>mulier</i>, meaning <i>woman</i>; p. 273). Cohen identifies the figure as "Faustine" (p. 154). Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC3, pp. 271, 347) name the figure as "Faustina." Mattingly, writing alone (BMCRE4), identifies her as "Felicitas" on the aureus and denarius (p. 405), "Felicitas (or Fecunditas (?))" on the sestertius (p. 536), and "Felicitas (?)" on the middle bronze (p. 542). Seaby (RSC2) identifies her as "Faustina" (p. 192). Sear hedges his bet, identifying the figure as "Felicitas (or Faustina as Fecunditas)" (pp. 345, 347, 348). Szaivert (MIR p. 169) names her "Fecunditas," as do Temeryazev & Makarenko (CRE p. 64).</p><p><br /></p><p>3. Beckmann, Martin, <i>Faustina the Younger: Coinage, Portraits, and Public Image</i>, A.N.S. Numismatic Studies 43, American Numismatic Society, New York, 2021, pp. 54, 59.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. <i>Ibid</i>., p. 59.</p><p><br /></p><p>5. RIC erroneously describes one child standing on each side.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Roman Collector, post: 7810300, member: 75937"]TGIFF! Party down!! It's Faustina Friday!!! [SIZE=3]<--exclamation point inflation. Crazy, like the price of [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-shocker-at-heritage-last-night.384500/']Philip I antoniniani in slabs at Heritage[/URL].[/SIZE] [IMG]https://i.redd.it/xoqwc64xd9jz.gif[/IMG] Early last month, [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-saecvli-felicit-the-happiness-of-the-age.382908/']I discussed an issue[/URL] celebrating the birth of Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus and his twin brother, Commodus, in AD 161. That reverse type features the inscription SAECVLI FELICIT ([I]sæculi felicitas[/I] or [I]felicitati[/I]), meaning "the happiness of the age," and depicts the heir and his younger twin Commodus on a [I]pulvinar[/I], a couch dedicated to the gods. That installment of Faustina Friday told only half the story. In addition to the SAECVLI FELICIT issue, another large series of coins was issued in all metals to celebrate the twins' birth. These coins bear the nearly synonymous reverse inscription TEMPOR FELIC ([I]temporum felicitas[/I] or [I]felicitati[/I]), meaning "the happiness of the times." [IMG]https://i.gifer.com/origin/77/7793b684a1e2c501cbbbf3f1ca8bb8ff.gif[/IMG] The Latin word [I]felicitas[/I] not only means happiness, but carries strong connotations of fruitfulness and fertility,[1] and the inscription may be well-translated as "the fruitfulness of the times," very appropriate for a coin commemorating an imperial birth. The coins depict a female figure, the identity of which nobody can agree on,[2] standing left, holding an infant in each arm while four other children stand at her feet, vying for their mother's attention. Although none of the reverse figures are explicitly identified, the symbolism of the design is clear: it represents the growing imperial family. Faustina had just given birth to twin boys and already had four living children, her daughters Lucilla, Faustina III, [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-juno-lucina-and-the-birth-of-fadilla.378267/']Fadilla[/URL], and [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-life-and-tragic-death-of-cornificia.365819/']Cornificia[/URL]. We don't know for sure which of the two issues to commemorate the birth came first. Beckmann, in his die-linkage study of the aurei of Faustina II, found no die links whatsoever between the SAECVLI FELICIT and the TEMPOR FELIC issue. However, the TEMPOR FELIC issue forms the beginning of a long die chain in which several SALVTI AVGVSTAE ("for the health of the empress") reverse dies immediately follow.[3] Beckmann further notes, "it is hard to avoid the conclusion that this indicates a major crisis in the health of Faustina."[4] For this reason, I propose that the SAECVLI FELICIT/infants on pulvinar issue preceded the TEMPOR FELIC one, because the latter was quickly followed by the SALVTI AVGVSTAE issue. I wonder if the empress suffered obstetrical complications not otherwise attested in the scanty historical records of this era. The coins of the TEMPOR FELIC issue depict the empress either bare-headed (all metals), or wearing the [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-stephane-on-roman-imperial-coins.377542/']stephane[/URL] (AR and Æ), a crown worn only by goddesses and the empress. Some dies, such as used to strike [USER=110350]@DonnaML[/USER]'s [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/two-new-sestertii-faustina-ii-variation-unlisted-in-ric-maximinus-thrax.377844/']sestertius[/URL], depict the boys with a star above each of their heads, likening them to the Dioscuri. The symbolism would have been clear to the Roman people. By appearing on coins with the headgear of the gods and with the stars of the Dioscuri, the Empress and her boys should be considered the earthly equivalents of the gods. I illustrate below all coins issued with this reverse type. Unless otherwise noted (the aureus and the denarius with the stephaned bust), all those illustrated are from my own collection. [I]Please post anything you feel is relevant![/I] [ATTACH=full]1341535[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Roman Ꜹ aureus, RIC 718 corr.[5]; BMCRE [URL='https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_R-12601']155[/URL]; Cohen 220. British Museum Collection.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341536[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman AR denarius, 3.10 g, 17.7 mm, 5 h. Rome, AD 161. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: TEMPOR FELIC, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing. Refs: RIC 719; BMC 156-157; RSC 221; RCV 5263; CRE 179; MIR 31-4/10a. Note: The coin well illustrates the "[URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/faustina-friday-–-the-all-round-legends-of-december-160-–-163.382589/']all-round legends[/URL]" as used December 160 - 163. [/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341537[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Denarius with stephaned bust, RIC —; BMCRE [URL='https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1912-0710-279']158[/URL]; RSC 221a. British Museum Collection.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341539[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 23.99 g, 31.7 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 161. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing. Refs: RIC 1673; BMCRE 949-951; Cohen 222; RCV 5284 var. (no stephane); MIR 31-6/10a, b. Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341540[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.64 g, 30.0 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 161. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust, right, wearing stephane. Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing. Refs: RIC 1674; BMCRE 952-955; Cohen 224; RCV 5284; MIR 31-6/10b diad. Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341541[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman Æ as or dupondius, 11.55 g, 28.2 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 161. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing. Refs: RIC 1675; BMCRE 996-997; Cohen 223; RCV 5304 var. (no stephane); MIR 31-7/10a, b. Note: Sometimes each infant held in arms has a star above his head.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=full]1341542[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman Æ as or dupondius, 12.56 g, 25.0 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 161. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust, right, wearing stephane. Rev: TEMPOR FELIC S C, TEMPOR FELIC S C, female figure, standing left, holding an infant in each arm; at either side, two children standing. Refs: RIC 1676; BMCRE 998; Cohen 225; RCV 5304; MIR 31-7/10b diad.[/SIZE] ~~~ Notes 1. [I]A Latin Dictionary Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary: revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D[/I]. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1879. Online version available at the Perseus Project; s.v. [URL='http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3Dfelicitas1'][I]felicitas[/I] I[/URL]. 2. Sulzer describes the figure as "[I]figura muliebris[/I]" ([I]female figure[/I]; p. 182). Wiczay describes her as "mul." ([I]mulier[/I], meaning [I]woman[/I]; p. 273). Cohen identifies the figure as "Faustine" (p. 154). Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC3, pp. 271, 347) name the figure as "Faustina." Mattingly, writing alone (BMCRE4), identifies her as "Felicitas" on the aureus and denarius (p. 405), "Felicitas (or Fecunditas (?))" on the sestertius (p. 536), and "Felicitas (?)" on the middle bronze (p. 542). Seaby (RSC2) identifies her as "Faustina" (p. 192). Sear hedges his bet, identifying the figure as "Felicitas (or Faustina as Fecunditas)" (pp. 345, 347, 348). Szaivert (MIR p. 169) names her "Fecunditas," as do Temeryazev & Makarenko (CRE p. 64). 3. Beckmann, Martin, [I]Faustina the Younger: Coinage, Portraits, and Public Image[/I], A.N.S. Numismatic Studies 43, American Numismatic Society, New York, 2021, pp. 54, 59. 4. [I]Ibid[/I]., p. 59. 5. RIC erroneously describes one child standing on each side.[/QUOTE]
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