Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
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Diva Faustina II Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 175-176. DIVA FAVSTINA PIA, draped bust right / SIDERIBVS RECEPTA, Diva Faustina as Diana, standing right, with crescent at shoulders, holding long torch in both hands; S-C across fields. RIC 1715 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 64-6/10; Banti 120. 21.46g, 30mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine. Beautiful, untouched patina. Scarce.
Falling ill whilst accompanying her husband Marcus Aurelius in journeying to the East, the passing of Faustina II was marked on the coinage with a series of 'Consecration' issues in the usual types, but also with the unusual legend we see on the present piece. Faustina is depicted here as Diana Lucifera (the Bringer of Light") carrying a lit torch, illuminating the scene of her entry into the afterlife. That Faustina would be received into the firmament, and that the people of Rome and the Empire would appreciate the fact, was clearly very important to Marcus Aurelius as this coin proudly proclaims that she had indeed been 'Received by the Stars'."
Near Extremely Fine. Beautiful, untouched patina. Scarce.
Falling ill whilst accompanying her husband Marcus Aurelius in journeying to the East, the passing of Faustina II was marked on the coinage with a series of 'Consecration' issues in the usual types, but also with the unusual legend we see on the present piece. Faustina is depicted here as Diana Lucifera (the Bringer of Light") carrying a lit torch, illuminating the scene of her entry into the afterlife. That Faustina would be received into the firmament, and that the people of Rome and the Empire would appreciate the fact, was clearly very important to Marcus Aurelius as this coin proudly proclaims that she had indeed been 'Received by the Stars'."