Faustina Junior, Augusta, 147-175. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.25 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 152-153. FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL Draped bust of Faustina Junior to right. Rev. CONCORDIA Dove, wings closed, advancing right. Biaggi 923 (this coin). BMC 1089. Calicó 2045b. Cohen 61. RIC 503a. A beautiful piece, lightly toned and with a delightful portrait. Nearly extremely fine.


Faustina Junior was the youngest child of Antoninus Pius and Faustina Senior. She was originally betrothed to Lucius Verus, as arranged by Hadrian, but when Verus' father Aelius, Hadrian's intended successor, died in 138, the engagement was broken off and she eventually married her maternal cousin, Marcus Aurelius, in 145. Despite the slander of some ancient authors and Faustina' dubious role in the revolt of Avidius Cassius in 175, Aurelius and Faustina proved a good match. She dutifully followed her husband on campaign, and the couple was blessed with an unusually large amount of offspring, of which six children, including a son, the later emperor Commodus, reached adulthood. With this in mind, it is only fitting that the reverse of this wonderful aureus shows the dove of Venus, who was after all the goddess of fertility.