Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 5252; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 91 pl. 55.6; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 99.

2017.05

Denarius of Faustina the Younger, reign of Marcus Aurelius

2.8 g. ca AD 162

From the collection of Professor Emerita Beryl Rawson

Obv.: Head of Faustina the Younger, r., FAVSTINA AVGVSTA.

Rev.: Fecunditas standing r., holding sceptre and child, FEC[VN]DITAS.

Faustina had at least twelve children and the births of many of these were celebrated on Antonine coins, most but not all on coins struck in her name. Some have reverse legends FECVNDITAS (a personification symbolising the fruitfulness of a marriage) or FECVND AVGVSTAE. Coins of Faustina the Younger struck during the reign of Marcus Aurelius are quite difficult to date although much effort has gone into the study of Faustina’s many hairstyles which range from elaborate, bejewelled hairstyles as a young princess to a period of the very plain styles (as shown below on 1986.12) to elegant later hairstyles, as on this coin, and the posthumous coiffure that can be seen on 1997.02 (which makes her look younger). The reverse of this coin is thought to celebrate the birth of a male child probably the Caesar M Annius Verus who was born in AD 162, which suggests a probable date for this coin.  

This coin depicts an elegant later hairstyle of Faustina. Both Klaus Fittschen and Barbara Levick date this coin to the birth, ca 162 AD, of Marcus Annius Verus, the last male child born to Faustina.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 5252; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 91 pl. 55.6; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 99.