Faustina II AD 147-175. Rome
As Æ

26 mm, 11,03 g

FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust right / S - C, Diana standing left, holding arrow and resting hand upon bow.

Very Fine

RIC 1405a (Pius).

Annia Galeria Faustina, known as Faustina the Younger was the wife of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Born to Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was initially engaged to Lucius Verus but later married Marcus Aurelius in AD 145. The couple had numerous children, although most did not survive. Faustina's fertility was celebrated on coins. During the Marcomannic Wars, she accompanied Marcus Aurelius and lived in Carnuntum, where rumors of her affairs circulated. She played a role in the trial against Herodes Atticus. Honored with the title "mater castrorum" in AD 174, she was reportedly involved in plans for her husband's succession. Faustina passed away during a journey to Cappadocia in AD 176 and was posthumously deified by the Senate. Marcus Aurelius' writings reflect his genuine grief over her death.