Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, bronze sestertius, Antoninus Pius for Faustina II

About this objectAnnia Galeria Faustina Minor (known as Faustina Minor, Faustina the Younger, or Faustina II) was the daughter of Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina the Elder. Born around 130 CE, she was their fourth and youngest child, and the only one to reach adulthood. Her father organised a marriage between her and his adoptive son Marcus Aurelius, who became co-ruler with Lucius Verus on Antoninus' death in 161 CE. Faustina travelled extensively with Marcus Aurelius on his campaigns and earned the title 'Mater Castrorum' (Mother of the Camp), in addition to her title Augusta received in 147 CE.

This bronze sestertius shows a bust of Faustina Minor wearing a diadem and appearing as a younger woman than on other examples in the Logie Collection. On the obverse is the full figure of Venus, goddess of love, holding an apple and carrying a swaddled child. This coin type refers to the birth of Titus Aelius Antoninus, Faustina's fourth child, who died in infancy. Faustina and Marcus Aurelius had fourteen children, but only six lived beyond childhood.

Date Made145-161 CE

PeriodImperial (Roman)

Place NotesMint unknown

Medium and MaterialsMetal: Bronze

Style and IconographyRoman

Inscription and MarksObverse:
FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL
(Faustinae Augustae Pii Augusti Filia)
Empress Faustina, daughter of Pius Augustus

Reverse:
VENERI GENETRICI
To Mother Venus

S C
(Senatus Consultum)
By decree of the Senate

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

MeasurementsWeight 25.7g
Diameter ca. 31mm

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsKings and rulers in art

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsNumismatics

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Latin

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven. 1996.

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number180.96.25

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved