Roman Empire – Diva Faustina I – AR Denarius, AD 140/141 – Rome
A Memorial Denarius of Diva Faustina I
Struck at the Rome mint in AD 140/141, shortly after the death of Faustina I, wife of Emperor Antoninus Pius, this denarius belongs to the extensive posthumous coinage issued in her honour after her consecration as Diva.
The obverse presents a finely rendered draped portrait of Faustina facing right, with her hair arranged in the elaborate coiffure characteristic of her official imperial portraiture.
The reverse depicts Pietas, the personification of religious devotion and duty, standing facing with her head turned left. She raises one hand above a lighted altar and holds an incense box in the other, emphasizing the religious character of Faustina’s deification and imperial cult.
The coin displays an attractive tone and a particularly pleasing portrait. The reverse was struck from a slightly worn die, but the principal design remains clear.
Roman Empire
Diva Faustina I Augusta, wife of Antoninus Pius
Died AD 141
Rome Mint
AR Denarius, AD 140/141
18.0 mm | 2.73 g
Condition: Very Fine / About Very Fine
Obverse: DIVA FAV-STINA. Draped bust of Faustina I right, hair arranged in an elaborate coiled hairstyle.
Reverse: AVG-V-STA. Pietas standing facing, head left, raising hand over a lighted altar at her feet and holding an incense box.
Very Fine / About Very Fine. Attractive tone and beautiful portrait; reverse struck from a slightly worn die.
Piccola nota: nella descrizione originale hai scritto “AE Denarius”, ma per questo nominale la formulazione corretta dovrebbe essere AR Denarius.