Roma Numismatics Ltd
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Faustina II (daughter of A. Pius) AV Aureus. Rome, circa AD 138-161. FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust to right, with a double band of pearls around head / VENVS, Venus standing facing, head to left, holding apple and rudder, around which dolphin entwined. RIC III 517c (Pius); BMCRE 1064 (Pius); Calicó 2097d. 7.17g, 19mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine; lustrous.
From a private European collection.
Little has survived in historical sources concerning the life of Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, and what does survive is often less than kind. Married in AD 145 to her maternal cousin Marcus Aurelius, Faustina's betrothal had been arranged by her father Antoninus Pius at the time of his adoption and nomination as successor by Hadrian. Faustina had previously been engaged to Lucius Verus, whose father, Lucius Aelius, had been heir designate until the time of his death. Since Aurelius was now legally Antoninus' son, under Roman law he was marrying his sister; Antoninus would thus have had to formally release Faustina from his paternal authority for the ceremony to take place. Little is specifically known of the ceremony, but the Historia Augusta claims it to have been 'noteworthy'.
Faustina accompanied Aurelius on various military campaigns, which perhaps gave rise to the scurrilous rumours and negative views that Roman sources generally give of her character. The Historia Augusta alleges that she consorted with soldiers, gladiators and men of rank, and that she was perhaps behind the revolt of Avidius Cassius against her husband in 175. However, it is clear that Faustina and Aurelius were devoted to each other; she was held in high esteem by the army and by her husband, who grieved deeply for her when she passed, and accorded her divine honours.
Faustina is here presented with utmost femininity; the proportions of her facial features are delicate, the folds of her drapery are intricately rendered, and the exquisite detail of her coiffure reflects a glamorous young lady. The presence of Venus on the reverse is probably unsurprising given Faustina's reported beauty, and this association with the goddess and the nobility of her bearing are a most fitting portrayal of the future empress who during thirty years of marriage to Marcus Aurelius bore him thirteen children.
Near Extremely Fine; lustrous.
From a private European collection.
Little has survived in historical sources concerning the life of Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, and what does survive is often less than kind. Married in AD 145 to her maternal cousin Marcus Aurelius, Faustina's betrothal had been arranged by her father Antoninus Pius at the time of his adoption and nomination as successor by Hadrian. Faustina had previously been engaged to Lucius Verus, whose father, Lucius Aelius, had been heir designate until the time of his death. Since Aurelius was now legally Antoninus' son, under Roman law he was marrying his sister; Antoninus would thus have had to formally release Faustina from his paternal authority for the ceremony to take place. Little is specifically known of the ceremony, but the Historia Augusta claims it to have been 'noteworthy'.
Faustina accompanied Aurelius on various military campaigns, which perhaps gave rise to the scurrilous rumours and negative views that Roman sources generally give of her character. The Historia Augusta alleges that she consorted with soldiers, gladiators and men of rank, and that she was perhaps behind the revolt of Avidius Cassius against her husband in 175. However, it is clear that Faustina and Aurelius were devoted to each other; she was held in high esteem by the army and by her husband, who grieved deeply for her when she passed, and accorded her divine honours.
Faustina is here presented with utmost femininity; the proportions of her facial features are delicate, the folds of her drapery are intricately rendered, and the exquisite detail of her coiffure reflects a glamorous young lady. The presence of Venus on the reverse is probably unsurprising given Faustina's reported beauty, and this association with the goddess and the nobility of her bearing are a most fitting portrayal of the future empress who during thirty years of marriage to Marcus Aurelius bore him thirteen children.