Roman Coins in Reverse - a Chronological Gallery

[Roman Collector]

My favorite coins of Antoninus Pius and his family are those that show children and grandchildren!

This one depicts Pius's grandchildren, Domitia Faustina, born 30 November 147, and Lucilla, born 7 March, 149.

Antoninus Pius, 138-161 CE.
Roman orichalcum sestertius; 22.64 gm, 31.5 mm, 12 h.
Rome, 149 CE.
Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder.
Rev: TEMPORVM FELICITAS, COS IIII in exergue, S C across field, crossed cornucopiae from which a grape bunch flanked by two grain ears hang, surmounted by confronted busts of two children.
Refs: RIC 857; BMCRE 1827-29; Cohen 813; RCV 4236; Strack 1026; Banti 411.

This one of Pius's daughter Faustina II was one of three reverse types struck to commemorate the birth of Domitia Faustina in 147. I've posted the medium bronze version of the coin because you don't see them every day.

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman Æ as, 6.93 g, 26.1 mm, 11 h.
Rome, 147-150 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, Bust of Faustina II, draped and wearing band of pearls, right.
Rev: VENERI GENETRICI, Venus standing facing, head left, holding up apple in right hand and holding child on left arm.
Refs: RIC 1407; BMCRE p. 375 *; Cohen 238; RCV 4734; ERIC II 261.
Notes: Die-match to specimens sold by CNG Jan. 7, 2014 and Künker Oct. 18, 2016.

More of Faustina Junior's children issued under Antoninus Pius -- Lucilla, Faustina III, and Fadilla.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 26.31 g, 29 mm, 12 h.
Rome, AD 159.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: IVNONI LVCINAE, Juno standing left between two children, holding a third child on left arm.
Refs: RIC 1649; BMCRE 918; Cohen 136; RCV 5277; MIR 18.

More of Pius's grandchildren -- Lucilla, Faustina III,  Fadilla and Cornificia.

Antoninus Pius, 138-161 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.15 g, 18.1 mm, 11 h.
Rome, December, 160- March, 161 CE.
Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIIII, laureate head, right.
Rev: PIETATI AVG COS IIII, Faustina II (as Pietas) standing left, holding a child on each arm; at each side of her, a child standing looking towards her and raising hand.
Refs: RIC 313c; BMCRE 1013-14; Cohen 631; Strack 384; RCV 4098.

Also came in a parallel issue for Faustina II, because they were, after all, her children.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman oricalchum sestertius, 22.36 gm, 33.7 mm, 12 h.
Rome, December AD 160.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: FECVND AVGVSTAE S C, (Faustina as) Fecunditas standing left, holding a child on each arm; at each side of her, a child standing looking towards her and raising hand.
Refs: RIC 1635; BMCRE 902-904; Cohen 96; Strack 1336; RCV 5273; MIR 10.

I don't want to leave out Faustina the Elder, who died in October or November 140 CE, when Faustina the Younger was only about 10. Sadly, she didn't live to see her daughter get married or have children. She has no coins depicting grandbabies, but I she deserves recognition in this thread. My favorite of her reverse types are the currus elephantorum issues of 140 CE and 150 CE.


Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 25.98 g, 31.4 mm, 1 h.
Rome, November 140 - early 141 CE.
Obv: DIVA AVGVS-TA FAVSTINA, veiled and draped bust, right.
Rev: EX S C, Statue of Faustina holding corn ears, seated left in currus drawn by pair of elephants, left.
Refs: RIC 1140b; BMC 1435; Cohen 202; Strack 685; RCV –.
Notes: Struck with dies daf12/EC6.

Faustina I, 138-140 CE.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 25.47 g, 32.2 mm, 6 h.
Rome, 150 CE.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS, Faustina I, veiled and draped, seated left, holding corn ears and scepter, in carpentum drawn left by two elephants with riders; S C in exergue.
Refs: RIC 1113; BMC 1502-1504; Cohen 57; Strack 1256; RCV 4611.
Notes: Ex- Münzb. Karlsruhe, Dr. Becht, 25 Feb 1996; Gilles Blançon Oct 1991, lot 562; Auktion-Basel Nov 1967, lot 1314. This reverse die is unique for the issue in that it depicts Faustina holding corn ears and scepter; the typical depiction is holding a vertical torch (or scepter) in right hand and resting left hand on knee. Reverse die match to: Mazzini 2, pl. 86, 57; Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger (Auction 279), 8.2.2012, lot 2469; and Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH (Summer Auction 2013), 18.9.2013, lot 661; and Roma Numismatics Limited (E-Sale 62), 17.10.2019, lot 901. Dinsdale assigns this reverse die a separate listing, no. 017830, because the empress has different attributes.

Edited August 13, 2023 by Roman Collector
Font size; spelling.

[Edessa]

Divus Antoninus Pius. Died AD 161. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 23.63g, 12h). Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, AD 161. Obv: DIVVS-ANTONINVS; Bare head of Antoninus Pius right. Rev: CONSECRATIO; Garlanded funeral pyre of four tiers, surmounted by quadriga, S C in exergue. Ref: RIC 1266; BMC 872. Choice Very Fine. Uniform glossy dark brown patina. From the Century Collection. Ex Goldberg Sale 133 Pre-Long Beach (1 Feb 2023), Lot 2177.

[Octavius]

 Selection of Antoninus' coins....

1. denarius with Spes standing reverse...

 

2. This next coin is probably my favorite of Antoninus' reverses  - sestertius with reverse of triumphal chariot....

3. sestertius with Ceres standing , holding grain...

 

4. This next sestertius has an interesting reverse  - it depicts Antoninus as Sol - you can even make out his features...

5. sestertius with Spes between two Roman standards / eagles...

6. sestertius with Jupiter standing holding ? lightening bolt...

 

7. Dupondius with Salus feeding serpent on altar...

 

8. As with reverse of crossed cornucopiae / caduceus...

[ambr0zie]

@Octavius, that sestertius with Pius as Sol is fantastic. 

Antoninus Pius is one of my favorite emperors. The historical portrait we have about him is, I think, one depicting a peaceful, calm, intelligent and altruist person - and he probably was a big influence for his successor and son in law, Marcus Aurelius. 

He had a large share of tragedies - 3 of his children dying at young age and of course his beloved wife also, this did not made Pius a bad emperor or a bad man. At all. Because of his care for the people, some ancient writers left us the testimony that the people of the empire looked upon him more as a parent or a patron, than a master or emperor.

Antoninus Pius did not like travelling and never left Italy during his reign. 

Some of the coins with reverses I personally find interesting (and yes, I have the right as a collector to find some coins more interesting than others)

Vota Suscepta reverse. An excellent write-up, by @Roman Collector, is here 

Liberalitas emptying coins our of cornucopiae. Usually I do not hunt coins in great conservation, but I would have preferred a better condition for this one, because the reverse theme is extremely appealing for a collector.  

 

Clasped hands (one of my favorite reverse themes), holding caduceus

 

Modius with grain ears and a poppy. A coin probably related to the Cura Anonnae

 

A sestertius I like a lot - on this I will post the full description as it speaks for itself 

Antoninus Pius 138-161 AD. Ӕ Sestertius. Rome. AD 158-159. 28 mm, 17.2 g
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate bust right / [TEMPL DIVI AVG] REST COS IIII SC, octastyle temple, with figure of Divus Augustus between two reclining figures on pediment, quadriga at top of roofline, acroteria (Romulus on left, Aeneas bearing Anchises on right) at bottom of roofline, and containing cult images of Divus Augustus and Diva Livia. Restored under Antoninus Pius in AD 158, the Temple of Divus Augustus housed seated statues of Augustus and Livia and was octastyle in the Corinthian order.
RIC III Antoninus Pius 787

Another sestertius I wanted a lot in my collection - in fact I wanted a denarius from this series, I failed getting an example in 4-5 auctions - when this appeared in an auction I was looking at, I did not hesitate 

I have two denarii with Divus Antoninus Pius. 

Perhaps tomorrow I will post some Diva Faustina I coins (I do not have a lifetime coin). 

Edited August 13, 2023 by ambr0zie

[Octavius]

1 hour ago, ambr0zie said:

@Octavius, that sestertius with Pius as Sol is fantastic. 

Antoninus Pius is one of my favorite emperors. The historical portrait we have about him is, I think, one depicting a peaceful, calm, intelligent and altruist person - and he probably was a big influence for his successor and son in law, Marcus Aurelius. 

He had a large share of tragedies - 3 of his children dying at young age and of course his beloved wife also, this did not made Pius a bad emperor or a bad man. At all. Because of his care for the people, some ancient writers left us the testimony that the people of the empire looked upon him more as a parent or a patron, than a master or emperor.

Antoninus Pius did not like travelling and never left Italy during his reign. 

Some of the coins with reverses I personally find interesting (and yes, I have the right as a collector to find some coins more interesting than others)

Vota Suscepta reverse. An excellent write-up, by @Roman Collector, is here 

Liberalitas emptying coins our of cornucopiae. Usually I do not hunt coins in great conservation, but I would have preferred a better condition for this one, because the reverse theme is extremely appealing for a collector.  

 

Clasped hands (one of my favorite reverse themes), holding caduceus

 

Modius with grain ears and a poppy. A coin probably related to the Cura Anonnae

 

A sestertius I like a lot - on this I will post the full description as it speaks for itself 

Antoninus Pius 138-161 AD. Ӕ Sestertius. Rome. AD 158-159. 28 mm, 17.2 g
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate bust right / [TEMPL DIVI AVG] REST COS IIII SC, octastyle temple, with figure of Divus Augustus between two reclining figures on pediment, quadriga at top of roofline, acroteria (Romulus on left, Aeneas bearing Anchises on right) at bottom of roofline, and containing cult images of Divus Augustus and Diva Livia. Restored under Antoninus Pius in AD 158, the Temple of Divus Augustus housed seated statues of Augustus and Livia and was octastyle in the Corinthian order.
RIC III Antoninus Pius 787

Another sestertius I wanted a lot in my collection - in fact I wanted a denarius from this series, I failed getting an example in 4-5 auctions - when this appeared in an auction I was looking at, I did not hesitate 

I have two denarii with Divus Antoninus Pius. 

Perhaps tomorrow I will post some Diva Faustina I coins (I do not have a lifetime coin). 

 Thanks , and you raise a very good point ; much of what we have to be thankful for about Aurelius is because of the dutifulness (PIETAS) of Antoninus.

[Al Kowsky]

2 hours ago, Octavius said:

 Selection of Antoninus' coins....

1. denarius with Spes standing reverse...

 

2. This next coin is probably my favorite of Antoninus' reverses  - sestertius with reverse of triumphal chariot....

3. sestertius with Ceres standing , holding grain...

 

4. This next sestertius has an interesting reverse  - it depicts Antoninus as Sol - you can even make out his features...

5. sestertius with Spes between two Roman standards / eagles...

6. sestertius with Jupiter standing holding ? lightening bolt...

 

7. Dupondius with Salus feeding serpent on altar...

 

8. As with reverse of crossed cornucopiae / caduceus...

Great coins again as usual ☺️.

[lrbguy]

I originally intended to do Faustina in a single blend, but it is getting bogged down, so let me put up the lifetime issues I intended to show and discuss, and come back for the rest later. 

[Note: In the Bristish Museum Catalog, the coins of Faustina are listed among the issues of Antoninus Pius. That is the pattern I intend to follow.]

Faustina was elevated when her husband Antoninus came to full imperial authority upon the death of Hadrian in July 138 AD. Coinage in her honor began immediately, and persisted despite the fact of her death in 140 or 141.  Among a number of other honors, Antoninus continued coinage for her until his death in 161.  The "lifetime" issues for Faustina can be divided into three groups based on obverse inscription. We will consider examples of those first.

FAVSTINA AVG  - ANTONINI AVG       -  138 AD

FAVSTINA AVG - ANTONINI AVG PP   -139 AD

FAVSTINA  AVGVSTA                         -139-140  AD

 

Faustina   1st lifetime issue  138 AD
BMCRE 37  under Antoninus Pius  denarius of Rome

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
(clockwise from LL) FAVSTINA AVG  - ANTONINI AVG

Vesta, veiled, draped, seated to L on throne, holding palladium in outstretched R hand, cradles long scepter in L hand
In left field: VE S    in right field: TA

 

 

Faustina    2nd lifetime issue    139 AD
BMCRE 40  under Antoninus Pius denarius of Rome

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
(clockwise from LL) FAVSTINA AVG - ANTONINI AVG PP

The 2nd issue obverse inscription adds PP to the earlier inscription above.

Concordia draped, seated L holding out a patera in her R hand, and resting her left arm on a statuette of Spes standing on low base.  
CONCORDIA AVG

In the normal full version of this type a cornucopiae appears beneath her seat, but that is lacking in this version of the type.  A note on the purchase tag indicates that Curtis Clay (of Harlan Berk Galleries) regards it as an authentic variant.

 

                                   Faustina    3rd lifetime issue  139-140   (Next three below)
                                                       (drops mention of Antoninus)

 

 

BMCRE 136    under Antoninus Pius    denarius of Rome     3.28g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
up left: FAVSTINA     down right: AVGVSTA

Juno, veiled, stg L holding patera in extended R hand, staff in L; peacock standing at feet to left, with head turned back
IVNONI  REGINAE

This reverse reminds us that while the peacock is a vehicle of apotheosis, in Faustina's lifetime issues, it is the association with Juno that receives primary attention. 

 

 

 

BMCRE 139  under Antoninus Pius  denarius of Rome       3.31g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
FAVSTINA AVGVSTA

Throne ornamented and draped, in front and below stands a peacock to R in full display; behind throne transverse scepter ascending to R.
IVNONI   REGINAE

 

 

 

BMCRE 145       under Antoninus Pius       denarius of Rome     3.29g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
FAVSTINA AVGVSTA

Throne ornamented and draped, on which stands a peacock in full display; behind throne transverse scepter ascending to R.
IVNONI   REGINAE

I intended to show parallel examples of this throne and peacock imagery among the posthumous issues to show how the image is adapted.  Next time.

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by lrbguy
Picture edits

[DonnaML]

Here are some Provincial coins of Antoninus Pius with reverses I find interesting, all of them from Roman Alexandria.

Antoninus Pius, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 2 (138-139 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint.  Obv. Bare head right with traces of drapery, ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤѠNΙΝΟϹ ƐVϹƐΒ / Rev. Canopic Jar of Osiris (a/k/a Osiris-Canopus Jar), bearded, right, standing on cushion, crowned with horns, disk, plumes, and uraei; body of jar with decorations including diagonal lines beginning in upper left, and, in upper right, horizontal lines enclosed with border of dots in shape of shield [see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/120672 for specimen (No. 26 of RPC IV.4 13409) with virtually identical decorations on body of jar], ƐΤΟ-VϹ around from 8:00, Β (Year 2) in right field beneath end of legend. RPC IV.4 Online 13409 (temp.) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/13409); Emmett 1373.2, BMC 16 Alexandria 992 at p. 115; Milne 1591 at p. 40 (ill. at Pl. I) [body described as “entirely draped,” differentiated at p. 136 from other specimens]; K&G 35.6 (ill. p. 158); Sear RCV II 4339 (ill. p. 241). Purchased on Jan. 14, 2022 from Keith Candiotti (Miami, FL) at NYINC 2022. 22 mm., 9.84 g.

Antoninus Pius, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 5 (AD 141/142), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ / Rev. Artemis advancing right, wearing diplois (cloak) and boots, with short chiton and short peplos which flies behind, right breast bare, raising right hand to pluck arrow from quiver and holding out bow in left hand; in left field, L beneath E (Year 5). 23 mm., 13.52 g., 12 h. Emmett 1362.5, RPC IV.4 Online 14247 (temporary) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/14247); Milne 1693 at p. 41 (detailed description of Artemis at p. 134); BMC 16 Alexandria 938 (at p. 109 & Pl. III) (rev. var. in placement of year). Purchased from CNG [Classical Numismatic Group, LLC] E-Auction 512, 23 March 2022, Lot 454.

Antoninus Pius, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 6 (142-143 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ - ϹƐΒƐVϹƐΒ around (beginning at 1:00) / Rev. Phoenix standing right, crowned with circular nimbus [halo], ΑΙ - ⲰΝ [= Aion, Greek equivalent of Roman Aeternitas, also symbolizing the cyclical nature of “time, the orb or circle encompassing the universe, and the zodiac” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aion_(deity))]; across lower fields, L - Ϛ [Year 6]. 23.5 mm., 12.7 g.  Dattari (1901 ed.) 2431 at p. 153 (this coin) [Dattari, Giovanni, Monete imperiali greche, Numi Augg. Alexandrini, Catalogo della collezione (Cairo 1901)]; Dattari (Savio) 2429 & Pl. 117 (this coin) [Savio, A. ed., Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Trieste, 2007)] [numbering different because of error: illustrations of 2431 and 2429 switched on Pl. 117]; RPC IV.4 Online 13506 (temporary) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/13506); Emmett 1419.6; Milne 1734 at p. 42; BMC 16 Alexandria 1004 at p. 117 (rev. ill at Pl. XXVI) [“Phoenix (Numidian crane)”], K&G 35.180 (obv. var., draped), SNG Fr. Alexandrie II 2267 (obv. var., draped). Purchased from Naville Numismatics Auction 72 (27 Mar 2022), Lot 341; ex Dattari Collection.*

*The phoenix on the reverse of this coin, accompanied by the legend “ΑΙⲰΝ,” clearly relates to the beginning of a new Great Sothic Cycle early in the reign of Antoninus Pius, as most famously reflected in the Zodiac coinage issued in his eighth year. See Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXI Catalog (“The Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection of the Coins of Roman Alexandria,” Jan 9. 2018), Lot 124, p. 68 (available at https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=349280):

“The Great Sothic Cycle was a calendrical cycle based on the heliacal rising in July of the star Sirius (known to the Greeks as Sothis) and lasting approximately 1460 years. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, in a Golden Age, the beginning of the flooding of the Nile coincided exactly with the rising of Sirius, which was reckoned as the New Year. Only once every 1460 years did Sirius rise at exactly the same time. Thus, the coincidence of this along with the concurrent beginning of the flooding of the Nile gave the event major cosmological significance by heralding not just the beginning of a new year, but the beginning of a new eon. This event also was thought to herald the appearance of the phoenix, a mythological bird which was reborn every 500 to 1000 years out of its own ashes. According to one version of the myth, each new phoenix embalmed its old ashes in an egg of myrrh, which it then deposited in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis. So important was the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle, both to the realignment of the heavens and its signaling of the annual flooding of the Nile, that the Egyptians celebrated it in a five-day festival, which emphasized the important cosmological significance.

In the third year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 139/40), a new Great Sothic Cycle began. To mark this event, the mint of Alexandria struck an extensive series of coinage . . ., each related in some astrological way to the reordering of the heavens during the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle. This celebration would continue throughout Pius’ reign.”

Antoninus Pius AE Drachm, Zodiac Series, Sun in Leo (day house), Year 8 (144-145 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΑYΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤѠΝƐΙΝΟϹ ϹƐ-Β ƐYϹ (legend begins at 8:00) / Rev. Lion springing right; above to left, bust of Helios, radiate and draped; above to right, 8-pointed star; L H (Year 8 ) below.  RPC IV.4 Online 13547 (temp.) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/13547 ); Emmett 1530.8 (ill. p. 74A); BMC 16 Alexandria 1084 at p. 127 (ill. Pl. 12); Milne 1813-1815 at p. 44 (No. 1815 has same obv. legend break as this coin, i.e., ϹƐ-Β ƐVϹ); Dattari (Savio) 2968; K&G 35.278 (ill. p. 173); Köln (Geissen) 1495.  Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 428, Lot 555, 28 Apr. 2021; ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün e.K., Auction 79, Lot 1284, 10 Nov. 2020.* 33 mm., 20.95 g.

*See Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXI Catalog (“The Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection of the Coins of Roman Alexandria,” Jan 9. 2018), Lot 124, p. 68 (available at https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=349280) , quoted in footnote to previous coin, explaining Great Sothic Cycle 

I have seen no explanation of why it took five years to issue this series after the beginning of the new Cycle in the third year of the reign of Antoninus Pius. It should be noted that the Zodiac series is based not on the ancient Egyptian “Decan” system of 36 star groups (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decan), but on the 12 Greek (originally Babylonian) signs, and depicts associated Greco-Roman deities -- although the additional “Zodiac Wheel” coin (see Triton XXI catalog, Lot 124) depicts Isis and Serapis at the center of the reverse. 

In total, according to Emmett, there are 16 basic drachm types in the Antoninus Pius Zodiac Series, all issued in Year 8 of his reign, listed and depicted in Emmett at p. 74A: Ares (Mars) in Aries [ram] (Emmett 1461.8), Aphrodite (Venus) in Taurus [bull] (E. 1450.8), Hermes (Mercury) in Gemini [with the twins represented by Herakles and Apollo rather than the Dioscuri] (E.1576.8), Selene (Moon) in Cancer [crab] (E.1681.8), Helios (Sun) in Leo [this coin] (E.1530.8), Hermes (Mercury) in Virgo [Demeter] (E.1575.8), Aphrodite (Venus) in Libra [female holding scales] (E.1452.8), Ares (Mars) in Scorpio [scorpion] (E.1460.8), Zeus (Jupiter) in Sagittarius [centaur as archer] (E.1693.8), Kronos (Saturn) in Capricorn [capricorn] (E.1598.8), Kronos (Saturn) in Aquarius [youth swimming with amphora] (E.1451.8), and Zeus (Jupiter) in Pisces [two fish] (E.1692.8). There are four additional coins variously depicting Helios and Selene, Serapis and Isis, or Serapis by himself in the center, surrounded by either one circular band showing the Zodiac, or two bands showing respectively the Zodiac and the five planets together with the Sun and Moon (Emmett 1705-1708). 

Antoninus Pius Billon Tetradrachm, Year 12 (148-149 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, ΑΝΤѠΝ(Ɛ)ΙΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ ƐVϹƐΒ (beginning at 2:00) / Draped bust of Zeus-Ammon right, crowned with disk [partially off flan], L ΔѠΔƐ - ΚΑΤΟV [Year 12 spelled out] (clockwise from lower left). RPC IV.4 Online 13625 [temporary number] (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/13625) [this coin is Specimen 13, ex. Emporium Hamburg 71, 8 May 2014, lot 186; see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/112517] ; Emmett 1442.12; Milne 1972  at p. 47 [Milne, J.G., Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins (Oxford 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay, 1971)]; Dattari (Savio) 2408; Köln (Geissen) 1588; Sear RCV II 4360.  23 mm., 12.60 g. (Purchased from Herakles Numismatics, Sept 2020).

Antoninus Pius Billon Tetradrachm, Year 23 (159-160 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate and draped bust right, ΑΝΤѠΝΙΝΟϹ - ϹƐΒ ƐVϹƐΒ (beginning on upper right) / Rev. Isis crowned with disk, horns, and plumes, seated right offering her right breast to crowned Harpocrates [“Horus-as-Child”] seated on her lap; Harpocrates extends his right hand towards her and holds lotus flower in left hand; crowned falcon [Horus] perched right on left end of back of throne, L -  Γ [G] /K [= Year 23] across field.  Emmett 1402.23; Milne 2405 at p. 57 [Milne, J.G., Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins (Oxford 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay, 1971)]; Dattari (Savio) 2257; RPC IV.4 Online, 13938 (temporary) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/13938); Köln (Geissen) 1842 [same dies, see RPC Online 13938 at the link provided, Example 3]; Sear RCV II 4377; K&G 35.810.  21x28 mm., 11.67 g. Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 168th Buy or Bid Sale, March 16, 2010, Lot 475. 

Plus this Roman Alexandrian obol of his daughter Faustina II, issued in Year 12 of his reign:

Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AE Obol, Alexandria, Egypt Mint, Year 12 of Antoninus Pius (AD 148/149). Obv. Draped bust right, hair in chignon at back of head, ΦΑVϹΤΙΝΑ ϹƐΒ(Α)ϹΤΗ / Rev. Crowned uraeus serpent [sacred cobra, worn by deities and pharaohs] standing erect to right, L beneath I – B across fields (L IB = Year 12). 18 mm., 4.18 g., 12 h. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online Vol. IV.4 15420 (temp.) (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/15420); Emmett 2037.12; Dattari Savio 9144; SNG France 4, Alexandrie II 2810 [Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, France Vol. 4, Alexandrie II, Hadrien – Antonin le Pieux – Nomes (Zurich 2018)]. Purchased at Nomos Obolos Auction 22, 6 March 2022, Lot 578.

[DonnaML]

And now a small number of Antoninus Pius Imperials with reverses I find interesting. (No Faustina I's -- I can't pretend that there's anything particularly interesting about my reverses with Concordia and Ceres.)

Antoninus Pius with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, AR Denarius 140-144 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right, ANTONINVS AVG PIVS - P P TR P COS III / Rev. Bare head of young Marcus Aurelius right, beardless, AVRELIVS CAESAR - AVG PII F COS. RIC III Antoninus Pius 417a (p. 78) (1930 ed.); RSC II Antoninus Pius & Marcus Aurelius 15 (p. 190); Sear RCV II 4524 (ill. p. 261) [dated to 141 AD]; BMCRE IV Antoninus Pius 155 (p. 26; ill. Pl 4 No. 11); A. Pangerl, "Vier Jahrzente Portraits des Marcus Aurelius auf römischen Reichsmünzen," 500 Years of Roman Coin Portraits (2d ed. 2017), pp. 318-333 at p. 324 Tabelle 1 (No. 3.04) & p. 326 (No. 4) [dated to 140 AD and classified at p. 439 as “Type 1: round head of a child, no beard, curly hair”]. 19mm, 3.43 gm, 12h. Purchased from Akropolis Ancient Coins, 17 October 2021.

Antoninus Pius, AR Denarius, AD 140-143 (Sear: AD 142), Rome Mint. Obv. Bare head right, ANTONINVS AVG PI-VS P P TR P COS III / Rev. Apollo in long robe standing facing, head left, holding patera in extended right hand and lyre in left hand, APOLLINI AVGVSTO. RIC III Antoninus Pius 63B, RSC II Antoninus Pius 59, Sear RCV II 4050, BMCRE IV Antoninus Pius 186. 17 mm., 3.50 g., 6 h. Purchased from London Ancient Coins, 2 Jan. 2023.

Antoninus Pius AE As, 148 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII / Rev. Elephant walking left, MV-NIFICENTIA AVG; in exergue COS IIII/S C in two lines. RIC III 863, Sear RCV II 4308 (var.), BMCRE 1840. 29 mm., 10.4 g. (Issued to commemorate games and spectacles held to celebrate 900th anniversary of Rome.)

Antoninus Pius Æ Dupondius, Rome, ca. 159-160 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate head right, ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII / Rev. Pietas [representing Faustina II] standing left, holding globe in extended right hand and infant in left arm, two children standing at her feet, one on each side , each with one arm raised [probably representing the Emperor’s three granddaughters then living, namely Marcus Aurelius’s and Faustina II’s daughters Annia Faustina (a/k/a Faustina III), Lucilla, and Fadilla; issued before birth of Cornificia in Aug. 160], PIET-ATI - AVG COS IIII, S-C across fields. RIC III 1035, Sear RCV II 4280 (ill.), Cohen 625. 25.5 mm., 15.57 g. [Ex Naville Numismatics, Auction 28, Jan. 22, 2017, Lot 611, previously in Italian collection (with old ticket in Italian in name of “Antonino Pio”)].

The coin I will always see as depicting a wedding cake with lit candles on the reverse:

Divus Antoninus Pius AR Denarius 161 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Bare-headed bust right, slight drapery, DIVVS ANTONINVS / Rev. Funeral pyre, CONSECRATIO.  RIC III 438MA , RSC II 164a, Sear RCV II 5193, BMCRE 60 (MA). 17.46 mm., 3.37 g.

One doesn't see Honos portrayed on very many Imperial coins:

Marcus Aurelius Caesar (under Antoninus Pius) AR Denarius, 145-146 AD, Rome Mint. Obv: Bare head right, clean-shaven, AVRELIVS CAE-SVG PII F / Rev: Honos standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae, COS II. RIC III Antoninus Pius 429a, RSC II Marcus Aurelius 110 (p. 202), BMCRE IV Antoninus Pius 594 (p. 85), ERIC II 301, Sear RCV (1981 ed.) 1279; A. Pangerl, "Vier Jahrzente Portraits des Marcus Aurelius auf römischen Reichsmünzen," 500 Years of Roman Coin Portraits (2d ed. 2017), pp. 318-333 at p. 324 Tabelle 1 (No. 3.10) & p. 326 (No. 10) [dated to 145-146 AD and classified at p. 439 as “Type 3: long head shape of adolescent boy; beginning moustache, increasing but discrete side burns”] (noting at p. 324 that "RIC gibt keinen Barttyp an").  18.2 mm, 3.3 g. Purchased from Ars Coin Wien, 22 May 2018.

Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, Rome mint, 147-149 AD (under Antoninus Pius). Obv. Draped bust right, single circlet of pearls around head, FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL / Venus standing left, holding apple in right hand and, in left hand, rudder set on dolphin, VENVS. RIC III [Antoninus] 517c, RSC II 266a, BMCRE [Antoninus] 1067. 18 mm., 3.45 g.

(OK, I'm cheating -- obviously I bought this coin for the obverse portrait of a young Faustina, not for the reverse.)

[CPK]

Here is an interesting Antoninus Pius reverse. It's also from the Kenneth Bressett Collection, and somewhat rare.

[Roman Collector]

3 hours ago, lrbguy said:

I originally intended to do Faustina in a single blend, but it is getting bogged down, so let me put up the lifetime issues I intended to show and discuss, and come back for the rest later. 

[Note: In the Bristish Museum Catalog, the coins of Faustina are listed among the issues of Antoninus Pius. That is the pattern I intend to follow.]

Faustina was elevated when her husband Antoninus came to full imperial authority upon the death of Hadrian in July 138 AD. Coinage in her honor began immediately, and persisted despite the fact of her death in 140 or 141.  Among a number of other honors, Antoninus continued coinage for her until his death in 161.  The "lifetime" issues for Faustina can be divided into three groups based on obverse inscription. We will consider examples of those first.

FAVSTINA AVG  - ANTONINI AVG       -  138 AD

FAVSTINA AVG - ANTONINI AVG PP   -139 AD

FAVSTINA  AVGVSTA                         -139-140  AD

 

Faustina   1st lifetime issue  138 AD
BMCRE 37  under Antoninus Pius  denarius of Rome

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
(clockwise from LL) FAVSTINA AVG  - ANTONINI AVG

Vesta, veiled, draped, seated to L on throne, holding palladium in outstretched R hand, cradles long scepter in L hand
In left field: VE S    in right field: TA

 

 

Faustina    2nd lifetime issue    139 AD
BMCRE 40  under Antoninus Pius denarius of Rome

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
(clockwise from LL) FAVSTINA AVG - ANTONINI AVG PP

The 2nd issue obverse inscription adds PP to the earlier inscription above.

Concordia draped, seated L holding out a patera in her R hand, and resting her left arm on a statuette of Spes standing on low base.  
CONCORDIA AVG

In the normal full version of this type a cornucopiae appears beneath her seat, but that is lacking in this version of the type.  A note on the purchase tag indicates that Curtis Clay (of Harlan Berk Galleries) regards it as an authentic variant.

 

                                   Faustina    3rd lifetime issue  139-140   (Next three below)
                                                       (drops mention of Antoninus)

 

 

BMCRE 136    under Antoninus Pius    denarius of Rome     3.28g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
up left: FAVSTINA     down right: AVGVSTA

Juno, veiled, stg L holding patera in extended R hand, staff in L; peacock standing at feet to left, with head turned back
IVNONI  REGINAE

This reverse reminds us that while the peacock is a vehicle of apotheosis, in Faustina's lifetime issues, it is the association with Juno that receives primary attention. 

 

 

 

BMCRE 139  under Antoninus Pius  denarius of Rome       3.31g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
FAVSTINA AVGVSTA

Throne ornamented and draped, in front and below stands a peacock to R in full display; behind throne transverse scepter ascending to R.
IVNONI   REGINAE

 

 

 

BMCRE 145       under Antoninus Pius       denarius of Rome     3.29g

Bust of Faustina to R, draped, with hair elaborately coiffed culminating in a coil of braids on top
FAVSTINA AVGVSTA

Throne ornamented and draped, on which stands a peacock in full display; behind throne transverse scepter ascending to R.
IVNONI   REGINAE

I intended to show parallel examples of this throne and peacock imagery among the posthumous issues to show how the image is adapted.  Next time.

 

Holy moly! Is that VESTA without the PP in the obverse inscription (1st issue) yours?!

[Edessa]

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Faustina Junior as Augusta, AD 147-175, wife of Marcus Aurelius. Billon Tetradrachm (22mm, 13.69g, 12h). Dated RY 17 of Antoninus (AD 153/154). Obv: FAVCTINA-CEBACCTH; Draped bust right. Rev: L-I-Z around Dikaiosyne seated left, wearing chiton and peplos, holding scales and cornucopiae Ref: Köln 1969; Dattari 3241; K&G 38.84; Emmett 1938.17 (R4).

[lrbguy]

9 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

Holy moly! Is that VESTA without the PP in the obverse inscription (1st issue) yours?!

Yep.  If I show it, it's in my collection [for now].  The photos are made to order by me.  I see that as part of the game.  So if I show something and you want to see a closeup, just let me know the what and the where of it.  Thanks for asking.

[ambr0zie]

Unfortunately I do not have any lifetime Faustina I coin. I know that a lifetime issue (if it's not a major rarity and/or fantastic condition) should not be extremely expensive, but I simply haven't spotted one. It is on my list as I like collecting 2nd century Imperials and having just posthumous issues is not 100% satisfactory. 

Here are the reverses I like from my posthumous coins

 

The peacock (usually Juno's companion) is here a symbol of Faustina's ascension into a different plan of existence (let's not forget that she was deified, she had a temple - the first empress with a permanent presence in the Forum Romanum)

A coin with the temple:

The remains of the temple survived in the present times. You can read here.

I also have a Sestertius - this is one of my favorite bronze coins, but not necessarily because of the reverse, although the phoenix on globe is an interesting metaphor. 

[CPK]

@ambr0zie Lovely patina on that Faustina sestertius.

[ambr0zie]

Thank you. This is what I specifically liked when seeing it. Plus it gives us a hint about Faustina's beauty.

[kapphnwn]

Faustina I Av Aureus 141-146 AD Obv Bust right draped hair wrapped in pearls Rv Pietas standing left sacrificing over altar. Beckman daf7/PA 12 RIC 394c 7.24 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen

Faustina I enjoys perhaps the most extensive posthumus coinage of any Roman other than the possible exception of Augustus. 

[DonnaML]

I believe it's time for Marcus Aurelius as Augustus (with Faustina II), and Lucius Verus (with Lucilla).

No need for me this time to separate out the Provincials and Imperials: by contrast to Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius, I have no Provincials whatsoever for Marcus Aurelius -- not even from Alexandria -- and only one for Lucius Verus. They simply aren't as easy to find. Perhaps not surprisingly, because at least in Alexandria the number of issues decreased precipitously from those issued under Antoninus Pius. These total numbers for different types issued in Alexandria by various emperors are from Milne (including the supplement), because Emmett groups the same types issued in different years under a single number, making them more difficult to count:

Trajan: 294

Hadrian: 816

Antoninus Pius: 892

Marcus Aurelius (including Lucius Verus): 203

Commodus: 92

Why the drastic increase in Roman Alexandrian coins under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, followed by an equally drastic decrease under Marcus Aurelius? I've never seen a good explanation. Can anyone provide one?

In any event, I'll start with the few interesting reverses I have of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, and then come back and post my more-interesting (in my opinion) reverses of Faustina II. What with all those children.

Marcus Aurelius AR Denarius, 165-166 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, M ANTONINVS AVG - ARMENIACVS* / Rev. Roma, helmeted and draped, seated left with round shield at side, holding Palladium [statue of Pallas Athena taken to Rome by Aeneas] in her extended right hand and short vertical scepter (or spear) in left hand, P M TR P XX - IMP III COS III.  RIC III Marcus Aurelius 155 corr. (erroneously describes Roma as seated on shield and identifies Palladium as Victory); RSC II Marcus Aurelius 490 at p. 210 (Palladium and short spear); BMCRE IV Marcus Aurelius 392 at p. 438 & fn. (Palladium and short spear); https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1937-0708-53 (same specimen as BMCRE 392, with same description); Sear RCV II 4923 (Victory and spear). 18 mm., 3.14 g., 6 h.  Purchased at Nomos Obolos Auction 22, 6 March 2022, Lot 610.**

*See Edward A. Sydenham, Historical References on Coins of the Roman Empire (1968 ed.; orig. pub. 1917) at p. 109, explaining that Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus assumed the title of Armeniacus after the defeat of the Parthians and the recovery of Armenia (placing a new vassal on the Armenian throne), a victory achieved in 163 by Statius Priscus while Marcus Aurelius remained in Rome and Lucius Verus, dispatched from Rome in command of the troops, spent the time in Antioch “in luxury and dissipation, relegating the conduct of the war to his generals.”

**Nomos AG characterized this type as “rare” in its auction description. I have found only five other specimens in ACSearch, two describing the figure held by Roma as the Palladium, and three as Victory. I believe that all are depictions of the same figure – which looks to me like the Palladium, not Victory -- identified differently by different authorities and dealers, rather than two actual variants. Similarly, with respect to the issue of whether Roma holds a short scepter or spear in her left hand, I detect no actual difference between the objects identified as one or the other. (I lean towards the scepter interpretation, because I see no spear point on any of the examples, although admittedly the tip of the object is concealed by the reverse legend.) In any event, I am not sure I agree with Nomos’s statement in its auction description that there is more than one real variant of this type, i.e. that “This type can be addressed as a variant of RIC 155, with Roma holding the Palladium and a sceptre instead of Victory and a spear.”  

Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, AR Denarius [Restored Issue of Mark Antony Legionary Denarius Leg. VI, probably issued for 200th anniversary of Battle of Actium], 168-169 AD, Rome Mint.  Obv. Praetorian galley moving left over waves with four crew members, ANTONIVS AVGVR around from 8 o’clock, IIIVIR R P C across below galley / Rev. Legionary eagle (aquila) facing left between two standards, ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST [ = Restituit] around from 8 o’clock, LEG - VI across lower field. RIC III M. Aurelius 443 (at p. 248), RSC I Mark Antony 83 (ill. at p. 127), Sear RCV II 5236 (ill. at p. 341), BMCRE 500. 19 mm., 2.86 g.

*See Sear RCV II at p. 340: “Issue of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus restoring the ‘Legionary’ Coinage of Mark Antony. The reasons for this remarkable restoration remain obscure. Mattingly (BMCRE, p. cxxiii) suggests that Legio VI Ferrata, which had fought for Antony at Philippi in 42 BC, may have played a leading role in the Parthian War of AD 164, the exceptional commemoration of this achievement on the coinage being prompted both by the the legion’s long and distinguished history and the similarity of the names ‘Antonius” and ‘Antoninus.” The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Actium [in 31 BC] perhaps provides a more obvious reason for the issue.” (Emphasis added.) 

See also https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Restitutions for a discussion of restored coinage in general, defining it as “a name given to pieces of money copied from other pieces struck in the past,” from the verb restituo.  This type of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus is the only restored coinage mentioned that was issued after the restored Republican coinage issued by Trajan, and the earlier restored issues minted under Titus, Domitian, and Nerva. (The “Divi” issues of Trajan Decius were intended to commemorate a number of honor certain previous emperors, but are not copied from specific coins of those emperors.) 

The original “LEG VI” Mark Antony legionary denarius on which this restoration issue was modeled is Crawford 544/19; see also David Sear's The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators 356 at p. 232 (1998). Notable differences from the restored coin’s design include the fact that the galley on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse of the original both face right (as opposed to facing left on the restored coin), and that the obverse inscription on the original reads “ANT AVG,” whereas on the restored coin those abbreviations are fully spelled out as “ANTONIVS AVGVR,” presumably to avoid confusion. (Had the original obverse inscription been used on this coin, it would likely have been misread by most people as “ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS” -- a potential ambiguity not present when the original was issued 200 years earlier.) 

Marcus Aurelius, AE Sestertius, 173 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder; M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII / Rev. Marcus Aurelius standing left, holding scepter with left hand, and, with his right hand, raising by her right hand a kneeling figure of Italia, wearing a turret and holding a globe with her left hand; [RESTITVTORI ITALIAE] IMP VI COS III [bracketed portion off flan]. RIC III 1078, Sear RCV II 4997, Cohen 538. 30mm, 25.8g. [According to David Sear (see RCV II at p. 315), this coin "commemorates the deliverance of Italy from the threat of barbarian invasion resulting from the emperor's successes in his wars against the Germanic tribes of the Danubian region."] Purchased from Incitatus Coins, June 2020.

Divus Marcus Aurelius, AR Denarius, 180 BCE, Rome Mint. Obv. Bare head right, DIVVS M AN-TONINVS PIVS / Rev. Eagle standing right on globe, head left, wings raised, CONSECRATIO. RIC III 273 (Commodus), RSC II 91 (MA), Sear RCV II 5974 (Commodus), BMCRE 20 (Commodus). 19 mm., 3.32 g. Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 214th Buy or Bid Sale, Dec. 2020, Lot 242.

Link to Vimeo video of coin:

Lucius Verus AR Denarius, Rome Mint AD 165-169 [RSC] / AD 165 [Sear RCV II]. Obv. Laureate head right, L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX / Rev. Captive Parthia, wearing breeches and peaked cap, seated right on ground with hands tied behind back; to right in front of captive, quiver, bow, and shield; TRP V IMP III COS II. 19 mm., 3.26 g. RIC III 540, RSC II 273 (ill. p. 231), Sear RCV II 5358, BMCRE IV 385. Purchased from Savoca 133rd Silver Auction, 15 May 2022, Lot 370.  

Lucius Verus AR Didrachm 161-166 AD, Caesarea, Cappadocia. Obv. Bare head right, ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΟΥΗΡΟϹ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΟϹ / Rev. Mt. Argaeus (or cult image of same), surmounted by statue of Helios standing three-quarters left with long scepter in left hand and globe in right; flames to left and right on sides of mountain; animal [deer?] bounding left at bottom far left of mountain in front of large rock; tree in front of large rock at bottom far right; smaller rock dotted with trees[?] at bottom center; ΥΠΑ-ΤΟϹ Β [= COS II].  RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online Vol. IV.3 7027 (temp.) [rev. var.] (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/7027); Sydenham 352 [rev. var.] [Sydenham, E., The Coinage of Caesarea in Cappadocia (London 1933)]; Metcalf, Caesarea 131a [rev. var.] [Metcalf, W.E., The Silver Coinage of Cappadocia, Vespasian-Commodus, ANSNNM (American Numismatic Society, Numismatic Notes & Monographs) No. 166 (New York 1996)]; Metcalf Hoard 694-718 & PL 39-40 [rev. var.] [see id.]; SNG von Aulock 6438 [rev. var.] [Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Deutschland, Sammlung Hans Von Aulock, Vol. 2: Caria, Lydia, Phrygia, Lycia, Pamphylia (Berlin 1962)]. 20 mm., 6.70 g., 6 h.

[DonnaML]

Now for Faustina II under Marcus Aurelius as Augustus (since I already posted some coins of hers issued by her father, including the aureus with a reverse depicting her and Lucilla as Ceres and Proserpina, and an Alexandrian obol with a crowned uraeus serpent on the reverse).

Instead of posting them chronologically, I'll do so in order of the number of children shown on the reverse, followed by a couple of Faustina II coins with no children on the reverse.

Here's Faustina II with one child:

Faustina II (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, ca. 162/163 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. draped bust right with hair in chignon behind, wearing double strand of pearls, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Fecunditas (or Faustina as Fecunditas) standing facing, head right, holding long scepter in right hand and, with left hand and arm, infant with its arms raised towards its mother (representing Marcus Annius Verus, b. ca. 162 AD*), FECVNDITAS. RIC III MA 677, RSC II Faustina II 99c (Faustina with double strand of pearls), Sear RCV II 5252, BMCRE Marcus Aurelius 92 (var. with Faustina wearing single strand of pearls). 18.46 mm., 3.54 g. 

*See Dinsdale Ch. 4 p. 51 & n. 1 [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04 - Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (med_res).pdf) at p. 51] ("This issue refers to the birth of M. Annius Verus in 162"). See also https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Marcus_Annius_Verus_Caesar : “Marcus Annius Verus Caesar (born 162 or 163 – 10 September 169) was the 12th of 13 children of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Empress Faustina the Younger. Annius was made caesar on 12 October 166 AD, alongside his brother Commodus, designating them co-heirs of the Roman Empire. Annius died on 10 September 169, at age seven, due to complications from a surgery to remove a tumor from under his ear. His death left Commodus as the sole heir. . . . He was given the name of Marcus Annius Verus because it was the original name of his father, Marcus Aurelius” -- as well as his grandfather and great-grandfather. 

** The fourth of four listed varieties, along with Faustina II bareheaded, with single strand of pearls, and with stephane. (See RSC II at p. 223.)

*** The British Museum, at least as of the date of BMCRE, does not appear to have an example of the variety with Faustina II wearing a double strand of pearls.

Two children:

Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AE As or orichalcum Dupondius, Rome Mint, 161 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, hair in chignon behind, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Two infant boys seated on draped throne (pulvinar), each raising an arm towards the other, with hands touching, SAECVLI FELICIT; S - C across fields. RIC III [Marcus Aurelius] 1666, BMCRE IV Marcus Aurelius 991, Cohen 194, RCV II 5302, Dinsdale 006660 [variety without stars above boys’ heads] [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (2020) at p. 69; photo at p. 75 (see http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04 - Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (med_res).pdf)]. 25 mm., 11.5 g. Purchased from Incitatus Coins (Steve McBride), St. Johns, NL, Canada, May 2022.*

*The two infant boys are Faustina II’s twin sons b. 31 Aug 161 AD: Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (the older twin, d. 165 AD) and Commodus, the ninth and tenth children of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II.

Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, Rome Mint, 161 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, hair in chignon behind, wearing stephane, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Two infant boys seated on draped throne (pulvinar), each raising an arm towards the other, with hands touching [compass dot between them], SAECVLI FELICIT. RIC III [Marcus Aurelius] 712, RSC II 191 [variety without stars above boys’ heads], Sear RCV II 5260 (ill.), BMCRE IV Marcus Aurelius 139, Dinsdale 005600(a) [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (2020) at p. 57; photo at p. 62 (see http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04 - Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (med_res).pdf)]. 17.5 mm., 3.39 g., 12h. [Same footnote as preceding coin.] 

I have already posted my depiction of Faustina II as Pietas with three children on the reverse of a dupondius of her father, so let's skip to four children:

Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, Rome Mint, Dec. 160 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, hair in chignon behind, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Faustina as Fecunditas, standing front, head left, holding infant in each arm, two other young children standing beside her to left and right, holding onto her gown; FECVND AVGVSTAE.  RIC III [Marcus Aurelius] 676, RSC II 95, Sear RCV II 5251, BMCRE 89, Dinsdale 005120 [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176  (http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04%20-%20Faustina%20II%20-%20Undated,%20158-176%20%28med_res%29.pdf) at p. 54; photo at p. 60]. 17.0 mm., 3.29 g.*

*See Clive Foss, Roman Historical Coins (Seaby, London, 1990), page 143, identifying the two standing children depicted on this coin as Annia Faustina [a/k/a Faustina III] (oldest child) and Lucilla (third oldest child), and identifying the two infants in Faustina’s arms as Fadilla (seventh child) and Cornificia (eighth child). The coin was probably issued to celebrate the birth of Cornificia, the then-youngest child, in August 160 AD.

I have nothing showing Faustina II with five children, but here she is with six:

Faustina II (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AE Sestertius, ca. 161 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, low chignon at back of head, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Felicitas (or Faustina as Fecunditas) standing left, between four girls (two standing at each side), holding two infants in her arms, each with a star over its head (representing the Dioscuri), TEMPOR FELIC [-IC almost entirely worn off], S - C across fields. RIC III 1673 (at p. 147), var. [no stars above infants’ heads]; BMCRE MA 949 var [same]; Cohen 222; Dinsdale 006760 & n. 1 [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04 - Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (med_res).pdf) at p. 70] (“Minor rev. variation: sometimes each infant held in arms has star above head”). 31 mm., 24 gm. Purchased from Victor’s Imperial Coins, March 2021. Ex CNG E-Auction 476, 9/09/2020, part of Lot 762; ex BLS Collection.*

*This variation of RIC III 1673 (with stars above the two infants’ heads) is unlisted in RIC or BMCRE, and appears to be mentioned only in the footnote to Dinsdale 006760. (RIC III 1677 does have stars above the infants’ heads, but is an as, not a sestertius.)  Of the 14 other examples found on acsearch of RIC 1673 and 1674 (the same design as 1673 but with a diadem on Faustina’s head; see Sear RCV II 5284), only one other example (of RIC 1673) has the stars above the infants’ heads. See https://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=6215913 (Numismatik Naumann, Auction 80, Lot 568, 4 Aug 2019). 

The four girls standing on either side of Felicitas on the reverse of this type have been identified as Marcus Aurelius’s and Faustina II’s daughters Annia Faustina (a/k/a Faustina III), Lucilla, Fadilla, and Cornificia -- the last of whom was born in 160 AD. The two infants held in her arms have been identified as Faustina II’s twin sons b. 31 Aug 161 AD: Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (the older twin, d. 165 AD) and Commodus, the ninth and tenth children of the royal couple. See Foss, Roman Historical Coins.

Now, a couple of Faustina II coins with no children at all:

Faustina II (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, ca. 170-176 AD[?], Rome mint. Obv. Draped bust right, FAVSTINA AVGVSTA / Rev. Turreted Cybele seated left, holding olive branch with right hand extended, left elbow resting on drum, lion at her side next to throne, MATRI MAGNAE. RIC III MA 706, RSC II 172, Sear RCV II 5159 (ill.) (dated 161-175), BMCRE MA 134*, Dinsdale 005550 [Dinsdale, Paul H., The Imperial Coinage of the Middle Antonines: Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus and Commodus, Ch. 4, Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Marcus/04 - Faustina II - Undated, 158-176 (med_res).pdf) at p. 56; photo at p. 62]. 18 mm., 3.05 g.

*Mattingly (BMCRE4, p. cxliv) believes this reverse type honors Faustina "as an earthly likeness of the 'great mother', Cybele." Mattingly assigns coins of this type (along with other reverses) to her "last issue" (ibid), and even postulates that they may have been issued posthumously (op. cit., n. 2).

Diva Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, after 175 AD, Rome mint. Obv. Draped bust right, DIVA FAV-STINA PIA / Rev. peacock standing right, CONSECRATIO. RIC III 744, RSC II 71. 19.18 mm., 3.23 g.

[ambr0zie]

Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher and Lucius Verus. First time in Roman Empire where there were two emperors with equal rights. This was Hadrian's plan when he adopted Antoninus Pius. However, Marcus Aurelius was more popular and apparently, had more authority. 

My favorite Marcus Aurelius coins:

Another VOTA SVSCEPTA 

Mars in action (I redocumented my collection today, this coin really has an incredible state of conservation)

A provincial from Ephesos, with a stag reverse 

And a very young Marcus with a Minerva reverse. When I saw it, I was under the impression this is a Virtus depiction, but no, it's Minerva. 

I do not have a posthumous Marcus Aurelius. 

Lucius Verus:

I find this sestertius interesting (the pretty bad shape does not bother me). It is interesting that usually when an emperor celebrated a victory, they wanted to mention who were the ones they defeated. Verus is ... neutral. VIC AVG. 

A denarius I am pretty fond of is this posthumous issue, showing a funeral pyre in four tiers

Faustina II deserves a separate post, so I will show one of my favorite denarii. It's simply one of the coins I noticed 2-3 weeks before the auction and checked it multiple times daily, hoping I will not see a 3 digits bid already. I did not. 

 

[John Conduitt]

I just need to slip in this AP as I have nothing worth posting for the others.

Antoninus Pius As, 154-155

Britain or Rome. Bronze, 8.63g. Laureate head right; ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII. Britannia seated left on rock, resting head on hand; arms in background; BRITANNIA - COS IIII around; SC in exergue (RIC III, 934).

[Limes]

Marcus Aurelius and Verus, lots of captives!

Same reverse:

Another captive:

And always pay tribute to your Gods; referring to the rain miracle:

[ambr0zie]

I think the Faustina II most representative reverses involve her children. I have 2 examples 

The four children would be Annia Faustina, Lucilla, Fadilla and Cornificia. 

Exactly the same theme on a sestertius 

Unfortunately her life was quite short, like her mother's, leaving Marcus Aurelius in grief. 

[expat]

I have 1 Faustina II with a Juno and peacock reverse, struck under Marcus Aurelias

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Orichalcum Dupondius
Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, circa AD 170-175/6.
Obv. FAUSTINA AUGUSTA. Draped bust right. Hair curls down cheek, hair in low chignon fastened with band of pearls.
Rev. JUNO standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet to left, peacock standing left, head right. SC across fields.
 (25mm, 11.53 g.) RIC III 1647 (Aurelius)

 

[Qcumbor]

A sestertius for Marcus Aurelius with a Victoria Germ reverse and a tremendous patina, and a captive for Lucius Verus 

Q