Roman Sestertius Coins

Inv. No.: c103
Date: A.D. 141-161.
Weight: 23.25g
 
Obv.: Faustina the Elder.
DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA

Rev.: Providence standing, holding globe and sceptre.
AETERNITAS S.C.

Antoninus was grief-stricken at the death of his wife, the Elder Faustina, in A.D. 141 at the age of thirty-six, and honoured her in his coinage to an extraordinary degree. The reverse type indicates the timeless world into which Faustina has passed. Other Faustina coins, depicting a variety of goddesses and virtues, signify the functions of Faustina in her new world. Her coin portraits, with their stately profiles and beautifully coiled hair, are quite outstanding. Portraits of the younger Faustina and Lucilla are of comparable quality (coins c106 and c112).

Comparanda:
RIC, Antoninus Pius 1108.