Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 4588; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 119; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 443; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) III 72 no. 371, St. 482.

1986.09

Denarius honouring Faustina the Elder, reign of Antoninus Pius

3.05 g. AD 141-147

Obv.: Bust of Faustina, r. DIVA FAVSTINA

Rev.: Vesta veiled, seated l., holding patera (shallow dish for offerings) and sceptre. AVGVSTA

Antoninus Pius (AD 138-61) advertised widely his devotion to his wife Faustina the Elder.  He issued coins in her name from early in his reign, and she held the title AVGVSTA from the time of his accession. After her death in AD 141, she was deified (hence ‘DIVA’) and a temple was erected to her in the Forum. After Antoninus’ death and deification in AD 161, the temple became that of Antoninus and Faustina. On her coinage Faustina was identified with a number of goddesses, especially after her death. Here Vesta, the guardian deity of Rome, associates Faustina with the continuing protection of Rome.

Of the four children from this marriage, only one survived Antoninus: the daughter Faustina the Younger, who married Marcus Aurelius, nephew of Faustina the Elder, who had been adopted by Antoninus and who succeeded him as emperor. The title AVGVSTA was conferred on Faustina the Younger in AD 147, on the birth of her first child, so the use of it for Faustina the Elder will have ceased in that year.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 4588; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 119; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 443; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) III 72 no. 371, St. 482.