Faustina Senior, Augusta, 138-140/1. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 33mm, 23.48 g 12), Rome, 139-141. FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII P P Draped bust of Faustina to right. Rev. IVNONI REGINAE / S - C Juno, veiled, standing left, holding a patera in her right hand and a long scepter with her left. Banti 75 ( this coin ). BMC 1116. Cohen 216. RIC 1077. Rare. A lovely example, well struck on a broad flan and with a most attractive dark patina. Minor traces of cleaning in the fields, otherwise , about extremely fine.

From the collection of C. S. Bement, Naville VIII, 25 June 1924, 998 (there described as “Belle patine noire. Superbe.”).

The life-time coinage of Faustina I is surprisingly uncommon when compared to the enormous issues struck in her honor by Antoninus Pius after her deification. This is a particularly attractive piece, with a noble portrait.