Faustina II, 161 - 175 AD, Graded VF -20, Silver, Rome, Roman

Faustina II

161 - 175 AD

VF - 20

Roman Silver Coin, Slabbed and Graded

Annia Galeria Faustina Minor (Minor is Latin for the Younger), or Faustina the Younger was a daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and Roman Empress Faustina the Elder. She was a Roman Empress and wife to her maternal cousin Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Though Roman historic sources give a generally negative view of her character, she was held in high esteem by soldiers and her own husband and was given divine honours after her death.

When Antoninus Pius died on 7 March 161, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus ascended to the throne and became co-rulers. Faustina was bestowed the title of Augusta and became Empress.

Unfortunately, not much has survived from the Roman sources regarding Faustina's life, but what is available gives a somewaht mixed report. Cassius Dio and the Augustan History accuse Faustina of ordering numerous deaths by poison and execution, there are even accusations that she instigated the revolt of Avidius Cassius against her husband. However, by most accounts Faustina and Aurelius seem to have been very close and mutually devoted to each other.

Faustina accompanied her husband on various military campaigns and enjoyed the love and reverence of the Roman soldiers. Aurelius gave her the title of "Mater Castrorum" or Mother of the Camp. Between 170–175, she was in the north, and in 175, she accompanied Aurelius to the east.

The Reverse depicts the seated Venus facing left holding victory and a sceptre. With the obverse depicting the Bare headed with weaved hair, draped bust of Faustina II facing right. There is a small light green patina on the edge of the obverse.

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