I have had an example of this coin in my collection for many years, but I was never happy with its rough, corroded surfaces. I had the opportunity to upgrade it and am quite content with my new purchase. Faustina II, AD 147-175/6. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 23.49 g, 29.0 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD ca. 174-176. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATRI MAGNAE S C, Cybele seated right, holding drum in left hand on left knee; to left and right of throne, lions, seated right. Refs: RIC 1663, BMCRE 932-935; Cohen 169; Sear 5281; MIR 25; ERIC II 205. Aurei (i.e. BMCRE 132) and middle bronzes (i.e. BMCRE 990) were issued with this reverse type, but the corresponding denarius depicts Cybele seated left, with Cybele holding a branch and resting her elbow on the tympanum. She is accompanied by only one lion. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman AR denarius, 3.20 g, 17.7 mm, 1 h. Rome, AD 170-175. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATRI MAGNAE, Cybele seated left holding branch in right hand, resting left arm on drum; at her side, lion. Refs: RIC 706; BMCRE 134; Cohen 192; RCV 5281; MIR 26; CRE 173. Mattingly (BMCRE4, p. cxliv) believes this reverse type honors Faustina "as an earthly likeness of the 'great mother', Cybele." Mattingly assigns coins of this type (along with other reverses) to her "last issue" (ibid), and even postulates that they may have been issued posthumously (op. cit., n. 2). Although Mattingly doesn't elaborate, the empress's coiffure serves as evidence for this conclusion. The hairstyle on this coin is primarily found on coins issued after her death, such as these: Faustina Jr, AD 161-175. Roman AR denarius; 3.14 g, 17 mm. Rome, AD 176 or later. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA PIA, bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev: CONSECRATIO, crescent moon around large star, surrounded by six stars. Refs: RIC 750; BMCRE 718; Cohen 83; RCV 5219; MIR 63; CRE 172. Diva Faustina II (Died 175/6). Roman orichalcum sestertius, 26.31 g, 33 mm Rome, struck under Marcus Aurelius, AD 176 or later Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA PIA, bare-headed and draped bust right Rev: CONSECRATIO S - C, Faustina, holding scepter, seated left on back of peacock flying upward to right Refs: RIC 1702; BMCRE 1570; Cohen 69; RCV 5227; MIR 56.
Wonderful upgrade! Great detail and I love the chocolate with sprinkles of mint patina I am a fan of Faustina II. Here are some of mine: Faustina II (Minor) Sestertius, Rome, AD 161-175; AE, FAVSTINA - AVGVSTA, draped bust r., hair knotted behind with circle of pearls, Rv. HIL - A - RITAS, Hilaritasstanding l., holding palm branch and cornucopiae; in field, S - C. RIC 1642; C 112.Dark patina, Faustina II AR Denarius. Rome, c. 147-150. Draped bust r. / Concordia seated l., holding flower and resting l. arm on cornucopiaeset on globe below seat. RIC Pius 502a; RSC
Nice pickup RC, I love that reverse. Mine could probably use an upgrade as well. Faustina II, Struck circa AD 161-176. Rome, AE Sestertius, (28mm., 22.44g), FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right / [CERES], S C, Ceres seated left on chest, holding corn-ears and long torch.
Great new coin and wonderfully detailed hair! Congrats! Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius AE Sestertius, Struck 145-161 AD, Rome mint Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bust of Faustina the Younger, draped, right, hair is elaborately dressed in horizontal lines with ringlets down front: it is coiled in a chignon on back of head. Reverse: AVGVSTI PII FIL, Spes, draped, standing front, head left, holding up flower-bud in right hand and gathering up fold of skirt in left, S-C across field. References: RIC III 1371 Size: 30mm, 23.5g Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius AE Sestertius, Struck 161-175 AD, Rome mint Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust of Faustina II, draped, hair elaborately waved in nearly vertical lines and fastened in a low chignon at back of head, down cheek, curls, right. Reverse: FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas, draped, standing left, between two children and holding two infants in her arms, S-C across field. References: RIC III 1635 Size: 34mm, 24.2g Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius AE As, Struck 161-164 AD, Rome mint Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bust of Faustina the Younger, draped, sometimes diademed, hair elaborately waved in nearly vertical lines and fastened in a low chignon at back of head round head, down cheek, curls, right. Reverse: FECVN-DITAS, Fecunditas, draped, standing right, holidng sceptre in right hand and infant in left arm, S-C across field. References: RIC III 1639
Beautiful Faustinas and awesome upgrade. This is my Faustina: Sestertius, Rome, ca. 161 - 164 AD struck under the authority of Marcus Aurelius Traditionally coins of Faustina II with FAVSTINA AVGVSTA were issued after Pius' death under Marcus Aurelius as Augustus (161-175 AD). According to some numismatics, coins of Faustina bearing this legend could have been issued while Marcus Aurelius was still Caesar and Antoninus Pius was still alive. Scholars are not willing to make this conclusion. 33 mm, 26.54 g; RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1649; Cohen 136; BMC.918; RCV 5277; Ob.: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA Draped bust right, hair elaborately waved and tied in a chignon, wearing circlet of pearls Rev.: IVNONI LVCINAE Juno standing frontally, holding a child in her left arm; on the floor to each side another child. S C across field Lucina is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Eileithyia, who was the protectress of midwives and assisted during childbirth.
Nice Faustinas, everyone. I have a different "MATRI" from that lovely OP Roman Collector shared. She's veiled here: Faustina II Æ Sestertius (176-180 A.D.) Rome Mint DIVAE FAVSTINAE [PIAE], draped and veiled bust right / [MATRI CASTRO]RV[M] SC below, Faustina II seated l., holding globe w. phoenix and sceptre; two standards in l. field. RIC 1712; Cohen 163. (24.43 grams / 29 mm)
and two denarii but not last issues. Even though I attributed both as RIC III Marcus Aurelius 688, the stephane looks different - one has pearls, the other doesn't. Rome, 161 - 175 AD, struck under the authority of Marcus Aurelius 17 x 18 mm, 2.98 g; Ob.: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bust of Faustina the Younger to r., diademed and draped, wearing stephane, circlet of pearls, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head Rev.: IVNO, Juno, veiled, draped, standing left, holding patera in extended right hand and scepter in left hand; at left, peacock and 17 x 18 mm, 3.60 g Ob.: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bust of Faustina the Younger to r., diademed and draped, wearing stephane, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head Rev.: IVNO, Juno, veiled, draped, standing left, holding patera in extended right hand and scepter in left hand; at left, peacock
Nice coins. I appreciate those coins that force me to review the less famous emperors and empresses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faustina_the_Younger I am always fascinated and confused by Faustina's fling with Syrian legate Avidius Cassius after hearing false rumors of her husband Marcus Aurelius' death (AD 175). It was bad timing for Avidius Cassius to revolt since Aurelius wasn't dead after all. Cassius didn't last long. http://www.thathistorynerd.com/2017/03/oops-i-started-civil-war.html I have nothing to add but my lowly (but cherished) tetradrachms of Ms. Faustina the Younger (pictures not mine, however): g.
I have now acquired the middle bronze version of the coin: Faustina II, AD 147-175/6. Roman copper alloy as or dupondius, 12.24 g, 26.1 mm, 1 h. Rome, AD ca. 174-176. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATRI MAGNAE S C, Cybele seated right, holding drum in left hand on left knee; to left and right of throne, lions, seated right. Refs: RIC 1664, BMCRE 990; Cohen 170; RCV 5301; MIR 25.
Nice ones. Here are my Faustina II FAVSTINA AVGVSTA Draped and diad. bust right IVNONI REGINAE Juno seated holding patera and sceptre, peacock at feet Rome 161-175 AD Sear 5257; RIC 698; RSC 145 3.1g A more mature Faustina Ex-CNG catalog May 22, 2002 part of Lot 1711 From the Jurgen K. Schmidt collection FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL VENVS Venus standing left holding apple and rudder, around shaft of which dolphin is entwined Rome 148-152 AD 2.65g Sear 4708 Delicate portrait with an elegant Venus Both currently at auction. Link below.
Here's my lifetime portrait of Faustina II Faustina II (Augusta) Coin: Brass Sestertius FAVSTINA AVGVSTA - Draped bust right AVGVSTI PII FIL, S-C - Concordia standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae. Exergue: Mint: Rome (c.145-146 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 29.20g / 32mm / 12h Rarity: Scarce References: RIC III 1390v-As Acquisition/Sale: indalocolecciones eBay $0.00 02/19
