Faustina Friday – RC’s Top 10 of 2022

[Roman Collector]

It's that time of year again, where many of us share our most beloved acquisitions. I bought a lot of coins this year and narrowing the list down to ten was not easy. Since I devoted myself almost exclusively to expanding my specialty collections of the two Faustinae, I've made this an installment of Faustina Friday. So, you are about to enter the Faustina Zone! So, without further ado, here are my ten favorite coins.

10. The AETERNITAS and star denarius of Faustina the Elder. This was a type I had sought for quite a while but would always get outbid whenever an example came up at auction. This year, I got lucky. You may read more about it here.

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman AR denarius, 3.47 g, 18.2 mm, 1 h.
Rome, AD 140-141.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, veiled and draped bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS around eight-pointed star; dot below.
Refs: RIC 355(b); BMCRE 293-295; Cohen 63; Strack 421; RCV 4580; CRE 124.
Notes: Double die match to BMCRE 294.

9. This middle bronze of Faustina the Elder with the AVGVSTA and Concordia seated reverse type may not look like much, but researching its reverse iconography required a deep dive into the iconography of Spes and a die study to disprove Mattingly's interpretation of what is depicted on the coin's reverse. Because it led to a deeper understanding of iconography and a correction of misinformation, this coin made my favorite list.

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman Æ as or dupondius, 10.39 g, 26.5 mm, 7 h.
Rome, AD 145-147.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: AVGVSTA S C, female figure (Concordia?) seated left, holding statuette of Spes and scepter.
Refs: RIC 1184; BMCRE 1585 corr.; Cohen 121; Strack 1296 corr.; RCV –.
Notes: RIC 1184=RIC 1181 corr. Ex- Wayne C. Phillips.

8. This sestertius was a very fortuitous find and when it came up for auction at Heritage, I snapped it up because I had been looking for an example of Faustina the Younger's Beckmann Type 8 hairstyle for years. This is the only coin in my entire collection depicting her in this hairstyle. I wrote about it here.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 26.73 g, 32.2 mm, 11 h.
Rome, late AD 161 – early 163.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right; Beckmann Type 8 hairstyle.
Rev: IVNONI REGINAE S C, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter, peacock at feet.
Refs: RIC 1651; BMC 921; Cohen 142; RCV 5277; MIR 19-6/10a,b.
Notes: Obverse die match to BMCRE 921. Heritage Select Auction 232238, lot 64276, 21 September 2022.

7. While I already had an example of the dupondius of this reverse type, my collection lacked the corresponding sestertius denomination. This is a popular type and well-preserved examples exceed my budget when they come up for auction. This one, however, was within my grasp and I am very happy to have added it to my collection. Beckmann devotes several pages to this reverse type, but he propagates the traditional but incorrect notion that the reverse depicts a funeral pyre for Faustina the Elder. Rather, it depicts a type of mausoleum known as an ustrinum, which I wrote about here.

Faustina Senior, AD 138-140.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.61 g, 31.2 mm, 11 h.
Rome, AD 140-141.
Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO S C, Funerary ustrinum in four tiers, ornamented and garlanded, surmounted by Faustina in biga right.
Refs: RIC 1135(a); BMCRE 1429; Cohen 186; RCV 4625; Strack 1238; Hill UCR 380.
Notes: Struck with Beckmann reverse die FP2.

6. This victim of (treated) bronze disease made my list because it may be one of only five specimens known and I'll likely never have another opportunity to acquire one for my collection. The fun thing about it is that it shares a reverse type with the corresponding denarius, which was the first coin of Faustina the Younger I ever purchased! It was a "circle of life" moment for me, which I wrote about here.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 21.27 g, 31.4 mm, 11 h.
Rome, end summer AD 151-June 152.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right (Beckmann Type 2 hairstyle).
Rev: CONCORDIA S C, Concordia, standing front, head right, drawing out drapery and holding cornucopiae.
Refs: RIC 1372b; BMCRE 2166; Cohen 51; Strack 1309; RCV 4712.
Note: Obverse die match to BMCRE 2166.

5. This one made my list because I had been searching for a specimen that wasn't tooled or smoothed for years. It's scarce because of its obverse inscription. Even though it is a favorite for the year, I posted about it just last week!

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman orichalcum dupondius, 9.19 g, 26.88 mm, 5 h.
Rome, end summer 151-June 152 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right (Beckmann type 2 hairstyle).
Rev: VENVS S C, Venus standing right, arranging drapery on right shoulder and holding apple in her left hand.
Refs: RIC 1410c; BMCRE 2169; Cohen 257; Strack 1312; RCV 4737.

4. This FECVNDITAS reverse type commemorating the birth of Marcus Annius Verus in 162 CE is one of the most commonly encountered types issued for Faustina the Younger. However, coins of this reverse type are extremely rare when combined with a stephaned bust type. This may be the fourth known specimen of a middle bronze with the stephaned bust, and the only one outside of museum specimens that hasn't been tooled. Recognizing the tooling requires in intimate knowledge of Faustina's Type 7 hairstyle, which I discussed in detail here.

Faustina II, 147-175.
Roman Æ as or dupondius, 12.97 g, 26.6 mm, 12 h.
Rome, late AD 162 – early 163.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust of Faustina, right, wearing stephane.
Rev: FECVNDITAS SC, Fecunditas standing right, holding scepter and infant.
Refs: RIC 1639; BMCRE 980 n.; Cohen101; RCV –; MIR 9-7/10a diad.; TNRB 4 (Kremsmünster) 757.

3. This denarius of Faustina the Elder is very rare with a left-facing bust, and I consider myself very lucky to have acquired it. It's interesting because the object on the pulvinar on its reverse has been incompletely characterized by early numismatists as a "wreath," when, in fact, it's a specific type of wreath known as a struppus. I write about this here.

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman AR Denarius, 3.20 g, 16.8 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 150-161.
Obv: DIVA FAV-STINA, bare-headed and draped bust, left.
Rev: AVGV-STA, scepter leaning against draped throne upon which rests a struppus. 
Refs: RIC –; BMCRE 454 n.; RSC 131a; Strack 484 (Sofia); RCV –; CRE –.

2. Speaking of left-facing busts, I added this sestertius of Faustina the Younger to my numophylacium. It's interesting because this anepigraphic Diana standing with arrow and resting hand on bow type was issued for years and underwent numerous changes in bust type and obverse inscription during its tenure. I discussed this here.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 25.21 g, 31.2 mm, 12 h.
Rome, autumn AD 154-December AD 155.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, left, with Beckmann Type 5 coiffure.
Rev: S C, Diana, draped, standing front, head left, holding out arrow in right hand and resting left on bow, set on ground.
Refs: RIC –; BMCRE –; Cohen 208; Strack 1325 (Paris); RCV –; Banti (Paris) 114.

And now … the moment you’ve all been waiting for … RC's number one favorite coin of the year!

1. This unassuming denarius is very common with the FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL obverse inscription. But this one has the FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL inscription, which I had been trying to acquire for years. I twice had the opportunity to buy one this year, but the first was from a Polish auction firm which was simply unable to accept an international transfer from me and which refused to take PayPal or credit cards. It was in my grasp but slipped through my fingers because of the vagaries of international commerce. I became obsessed with finding another, and I did! You may read about the coin and my Captain-Ahab-like obsession to catch the one that got away here.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman AR denarius, 3.02 g, 18.1 mm, 6 h.
Rome, late 151-early 152.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding flower and resting elbow on cornucopiae set on globe under chair.
Refs: RIC 502a(6); BMCRE 1080-81; Cohen 53; RCV –; Strack 502; CRE 169.

That's all, folks! This past year – like 2021 – was hard on all of us in many ways, from COVID to the schism that happened at Coin Talk which led to the creation of the community here at NVMIS FORVMS. I am grateful to all my friends here for providing fellowship and a place of refuge to de-stress from the year's events. I want to thank you all. I hope you have a wonderful 2023, filled with amazing acquisitions and, above all, good health.

[Limes]

Thanks for sharing your list. You've definitely plunged yourself in the world of Faustina, hairstyles, and die-studies, and your list consist of coins that will make the heart of experts go faster. 

Since Im not an expert on Faustina coins, or hairstyles for that matter, I do enjoy watching your coins (and your topics), with a preference for the good looking ones 😉 And in that sense, your no. 8 is my favorite. Beautiful portrait, great patina with appealing browing colouring of the higher areas. Simply lovely! 

Thanks for your wishes, and I wish you the best in 2023 as well. 

[Prieure de Sion]

Diva Faustina I Senior (the Elder) under Antoninus Pius

Sestertius of the Roman Imperial period 141/146 AD; Material: AE; Diameter: 32mm; Weight: 25.29g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Antoninus Pius 1146a; Provenance: Ex Peter Corcoran Collection, Ex CNG E245 (1 December 2010) 337; Obverse: Bust of Faustina I Senior, draped, right, hair elaborately waved and coiled in bands across head and drawn up at back and piled in a round coil on top. The Inscription reads: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA for Diva Augusta Faustina; Reverse: Pietas, veiled, draped, standing, left, dropping incense out of right hand over lighted candelabrum-altar, left and holding box in left hand. The Inscription reads: PIETAS AVG S C for Pietas Augusta, Senatus consultum.

 

 

 

I'm just seeing, this is the only Faustina I've ever had. I need more Faustina!

 

 

[ambr0zie]

Great coins - I am not sure, but it seems you are a Faustina fan?

Now seriously, great coins, as usually from you, and the ones stepping out for me are the ones with left facing bust.

The coin I post in this thread is one where I requested an opinion from you and you confirmed it clearly deserves buying. This was an unplanned auction with very limited funds but I ended up winning the coin. Very glad with it and if I create an Imperial top 10, it has some chances to reach the top.

[happy_collector]

Wow! Wonderful Faustinae coins, @Roman Collector. Great to see them altogether in one top 10 list. 😀

In choosing which ones are my favorites, I would simply say "all of them".  😃  

[LONGINUS]

Great group, @Roman Collector !

My favorites are numbers 4 and 8. I like the reverses on both — Fecunditas holding the infant gives me a chuckle 🤣.

Thanks for your Friday Faustina series ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ !

[Al Kowsky]

6 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

It's that time of year again, where many of us share our most beloved acquisitions. I bought a lot of coins this year and narrowing the list down to ten was not easy. Since I devoted myself almost exclusively to expanding my specialty collections of the two Faustinae, I've made this an installment of Faustina Friday. So, you are about to enter the Faustina Zone! So, without further ado, here are my ten favorite coins.

10. The AETERNITAS and star denarius of Faustina the Elder. This was a type I had sought for quite a while but would always get outbid whenever an example came up at auction. This year, I got lucky. You may read more about it here.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman AR denarius, 3.47 g, 18.2 mm, 1 h.
Rome, AD 140-141.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, veiled and draped bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS around eight-pointed star; dot below.
Refs: RIC 355(b); BMCRE 293-295; Cohen 63; Strack 421; RCV 4580; CRE 124.
Notes: Double die match to BMCRE 294.

 

9. This middle bronze of Faustina the Elder with the AVGVSTA and Concordia seated reverse type may not look like much, but researching its reverse iconography required a deep dive into the iconography of Spes and a die study to disprove Mattingly's interpretation of what is depicted on the coin's reverse. Because it led to a deeper understanding of iconography and a correction of misinformation, this coin made my favorite list.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman Æ as or dupondius, 10.39 g, 26.5 mm, 7 h.
Rome, AD 145-147.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: AVGVSTA S C, female figure (Concordia?) seated left, holding statuette of Spes and scepter.
Refs: RIC 1184; BMCRE 1585 corr.; Cohen 121; Strack 1296 corr.; RCV –.
Notes: RIC 1184=RIC 1181 corr. Ex- Wayne C. Phillips.

 

8. This sestertius was a very fortuitous find and when it came up for auction at Heritage, I snapped it up because I had been looking for an example of Faustina the Younger's Beckmann Type 8 hairstyle for years. This is the only coin in my entire collection depicting her in this hairstyle. I wrote about it here.

 

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 26.73 g, 32.2 mm, 11 h.
Rome, late AD 161 – early 163.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right; Beckmann Type 8 hairstyle.
Rev: IVNONI REGINAE S C, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter, peacock at feet.
Refs: RIC 1651; BMC 921; Cohen 142; RCV 5277; MIR 19-6/10a,b.
Notes: Obverse die match to BMCRE 921. Heritage Select Auction 232238, lot 64276, 21 September 2022.

 

7. While I already had an example of the dupondius of this reverse type, my collection lacked the corresponding sestertius denomination. This is a popular type and well-preserved examples exceed my budget when they come up for auction. This one, however, was within my grasp and I am very happy to have added it to my collection. Beckmann devotes several pages to this reverse type, but he propagates the traditional but incorrect notion that the reverse depicts a funeral pyre for Faustina the Elder. Rather, it depicts a type of mausoleum known as an ustrinum, which I wrote about here.

 

Faustina Senior, AD 138-140.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.61 g, 31.2 mm, 11 h.
Rome, AD 140-141.
Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO S C, Funerary ustrinum in four tiers, ornamented and garlanded, surmounted by Faustina in biga right.
Refs: RIC 1135(a); BMCRE 1429; Cohen 186; RCV 4625; Strack 1238; Hill UCR 380.
Notes: Struck with Beckmann reverse die FP2.

 

6. This victim of (treated) bronze disease made my list because it may be one of only five specimens known and I'll likely never have another opportunity to acquire one for my collection. The fun thing about it is that it shares a reverse type with the corresponding denarius, which was the first coin of Faustina the Younger I ever purchased! It was a "circle of life" moment for me, which I wrote about here.

 

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 21.27 g, 31.4 mm, 11 h.
Rome, end summer AD 151-June 152.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right (Beckmann Type 2 hairstyle).
Rev: CONCORDIA S C, Concordia, standing front, head right, drawing out drapery and holding cornucopiae.
Refs: RIC 1372b; BMCRE 2166; Cohen 51; Strack 1309; RCV 4712.
Note: Obverse die match to BMCRE 2166.

 

5. This one made my list because I had been searching for a specimen that wasn't tooled or smoothed for years. It's scarce because of its obverse inscription. Even though it is a favorite for the year, I posted about it just last week!

 

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman orichalcum dupondius, 9.19 g, 26.88 mm, 5 h.
Rome, end summer 151-June 152 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right (Beckmann type 2 hairstyle).
Rev: VENVS S C, Venus standing right, arranging drapery on right shoulder and holding apple in her left hand.
Refs: RIC 1410c; BMCRE 2169; Cohen 257; Strack 1312; RCV 4737.

 

4. This FECVNDITAS reverse type commemorating the birth of Marcus Annius Verus in 162 CE is one of the most commonly encountered types issued for Faustina the Younger. However, coins of this reverse type are extremely rare when combined with a stephaned bust type. This may be the fourth known specimen of a middle bronze with the stephaned bust, and the only one outside of museum specimens that hasn't been tooled. Recognizing the tooling requires in intimate knowledge of Faustina's Type 7 hairstyle, which I discussed in detail here.

 

Faustina II, 147-175.
Roman Æ as or dupondius, 12.97 g, 26.6 mm, 12 h.
Rome, late AD 162 – early 163.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust of Faustina, right, wearing stephane.
Rev: FECVNDITAS SC, Fecunditas standing right, holding scepter and infant.
Refs: RIC 1639; BMCRE 980 n.; Cohen101; RCV –; MIR 9-7/10a diad.; TNRB 4 (Kremsmünster) 757.

 

3. This denarius of Faustina the Elder is very rare with a left-facing bust, and I consider myself very lucky to have acquired it. It's interesting because the object on the pulvinar on its reverse has been incompletely characterized by early numismatists as a "wreath," when, in fact, it's a specific type of wreath known as a struppus. I write about this here.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman AR Denarius, 3.20 g, 16.8 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 150-161.
Obv: DIVA FAV-STINA, bare-headed and draped bust, left.
Rev: AVGV-STA, scepter leaning against draped throne upon which rests a struppus. 
Refs: RIC –; BMCRE 454 n.; RSC 131a; Strack 484 (Sofia); RCV –; CRE –.

 

2. Speaking of left-facing busts, I added this sestertius of Faustina the Younger to my numophylacium. It's interesting because this anepigraphic Diana standing with arrow and resting hand on bow type was issued for years and underwent numerous changes in bust type and obverse inscription during its tenure. I discussed this here.

 

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 25.21 g, 31.2 mm, 12 h.
Rome, autumn AD 154-December AD 155.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, left, with Beckmann Type 5 coiffure.
Rev: S C, Diana, draped, standing front, head left, holding out arrow in right hand and resting left on bow, set on ground.
Refs: RIC –; BMCRE –; Cohen 208; Strack 1325 (Paris); RCV –; Banti (Paris) 114.

 

And now … the moment you’ve all been waiting for … RC's number one favorite coin of the year!

1. This unassuming denarius is very common with the FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL obverse inscription. But this one has the FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL inscription, which I had been trying to acquire for years. I twice had the opportunity to buy one this year, but the first was from a Polish auction firm which was simply unable to accept an international transfer from me and which refused to take PayPal or credit cards. It was in my grasp but slipped through my fingers because of the vagaries of international commerce. I became obsessed with finding another, and I did! You may read about the coin and my Captain-Ahab-like obsession to catch the one that got away here.

 

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman AR denarius, 3.02 g, 18.1 mm, 6 h.
Rome, late 151-early 152.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding flower and resting elbow on cornucopiae set on globe under chair.
Refs: RIC 502a(6); BMCRE 1080-81; Cohen 53; RCV –; Strack 502; CRE 169.

 

That's all, folks! This past year – like 2021 – was hard on all of us in many ways, from COVID to the schism that happened at Coin Talk which led to the creation of the community here at NVMIS FORVMS. I am grateful to all my friends here for providing fellowship and a place of refuge to de-stress from the year's events. I want to thank you all. I hope you have a wonderful 2023, filled with amazing acquisitions and, above all, good health.

R.C., Did you marry a woman with the name of Faustina 🤔? Just kidding of course 🤣. You've posted a wonderful group of Faustina I & II coinage 😊! My favorites are #8, the sestertius of Faustina II with Juno on the reverse, & #2, the sestertius with a left facing Faustina II with Diana on the reverse. #8 has a warm patina that makes you want to hold it, & #2 has a sweet portrait & attractive uniform, dark patina. 

[singig]

I will chose three sestertii of Faustina II , all with a dark green patina :  #2 Diana , #4 Fecunditas and #8 Juno , in this order. Congratulations !

Edited December 9, 2022 by singig

[Qcumbor]

Nice additions. I like # 10 and 2 the most

Thanks for showing them

Q

[Marsyas Mike]

Terrific top ten, RC.  The combination of fine-looking coins and thoughtful, deep analysis of type, etc. always makes Faustina Friday's something I look forward to.  Now it's good to see the top ten together in one post. 

If I had to pick a favorite, I think it'd be that Diana sestertius (interesting portrait of Fasutina II - she looks a lot like her mother).  Somewhat related is this Antoninus Pius denarius I just picked up - Diana reverse, like father like daughter: 

Keep up the good work.  

[Spaniard]

@Roman Collector..

A very interesting group..Love the big bronzes but if I had to choose one it would be your sweet #3 with the left facing bust..Congrats on a wonderful collecting year.

I'd also like to thank you for your informative "Fridays" I always look forward to them and moreover come away having learnt something new.

Here's my only lifetime issue of FI.

Faustina Major (138-140) Lifetime issue Denarius (2,81g, c. 16/18mm), Rome mint, 139-141 AD.
Obv.: FAVSTINA - AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
Rv.: IVNONI - REGINAE, Juno standing, facing, head left., holding patera and sceptre, peacock at feet.
RIC 338, RSC 215.
F-VF

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I'll vote for #4.  The Faustina Fridays make the day even merrier.

I think Didia Clara and Severina are the only wives/female relatives that I have. I'll have to change that in 2023.

 

[Steve]

That's a sweet Top-10, RC => congrats on accumulating that cool group of Faustina I & II ... Faustinas? ... Faustinae?

Curious, is 2023 going to be another year of collecting this coin-theme?

I had a a couple of pretty cool examples for each of these ladies (wanna see 'em, again ... and again?) ... okay, here they are

 

Faustina-II (Junior)

Faustina-II (Junior)

 

Faustina-I (Senior)

 

Faustina-I (Senior)

 

Congrats again on those 10 sweet additions ... keep that shit up!!

😉

 

 

Edited December 11, 2022 by Steve

[David Atherton]

I certainly love speciality lists such as this! Ironically my favourite is your #10, purely for aesthetic reasons ... such a beautiful coin!

[arizonarobin]

I find your #1 coin very interesting, I might have to go on my own obsessive hunt! 😄 I have the standing version but have not seen the seated before.

/return to lurking

Mine:

 

[Ancient Aussie]

All great additions RC, I bet you can guess my favorite, Congrats on a great year.