1966.46

Denarius honouring Faustina the Elder, reign of Antoninus Pius

3.195 g. AD 150.

Obv.: Bust of Faustina the Elder r., draped, hair bejewelled or braided, waved and coiled on top of head. DIVA FAVSTINA.

Rev.: Temple with six columns at front, on a podium, with seated figure inside (holding sceptre?). Sculpture (quadriga (four-wheeled chariot)?) on pediment; winged Victory at each corner. Statues at lower corners (each holding sceptre?). AED(es) DIV(ae) FAVSTINAE.

Antoninus’ wife Faustina was honoured on his coins as ‘Augusta’ from his accession in AD 138. On her death in AD 141 she was deified (hence ‘DIVA’) and her memory was greatly honoured. The temple built for her in the forum is still visible (having been converted into a Christian church in the twelfth century). When Antoninus died in AD 161 his name was added to Faustina’s on the temple.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 4572; Mattingly, H., Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 339 pl. 8.14, St. 442; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) III, 343; Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) II 254 no 15; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 1.