The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Annia Galeria Faustina (ca. 100-140 AD), also called Faustina the Elder (or Senior), was born of an influential Roman family. Sometime around 110 AD, she married the up and coming Antonius; two decades later, he was promoted to Roman Emperor, and Faustina, his Empress. By all accounts, they were a handsome and loving couple, and had four children (only one of which, Faustina the Younger, would survive to adulthood). Faustina had reigned as Empress for only two years when she died in 140 AD. Although the time was short, it was peaceful and prosperous, and she is considered one of the “good Empresses”. Moreover, Faustina had a profound impact on Rome and the rest of the world, well after her lifetime. Highly distraught by death of his beloved wife, Antonius gave the Empress a grand funeral and elevated her status to “Diva,” or goddess. Unlike any Empress prior or afterwards, her god-like status was promoted continuously and widely. Her effigies were paraded in spectacles and present at public events. When he attended the theatre, Antonius brought a golden image of Faustina to be placed in the chair his living wife would have occupied. Genuine or not, Antonius’ extreme devotion served his political agenda of pietas, or loyalty to family, state, and the gods (for an example, see the reverse of the Antonius’ coin in this set). Antonius saw to it that the likeness of Faustina started appearing everywhere in sculptures, paintings, and, of course, on coins, probably millions of them, that continued to be minted and extensively circulated long after her death. This coin, produced at least six years after Faustina’s death, is one such example. The obverse declares DIVA FVASTINA, and she is depicted in a goddess-like manner, consistent with all her imagery: in fact, Rome sent forth officially sanctioned miniature models to coin die cutters, sculptors, and painters, just to make sure they got it right. On the coin, note Faustina’s full chin, large eyes, and expressive lips - almost as if about to speak – and her hair forming an intricate crown of interlocking braids. Her dramatic coiffure would be emulated throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, as evidenced in ancient female sculptures and coinage for centuries to come. The theme of Faustina living on as goddess continues on the coin’s reverse, where, many years after death, she is still AVGVSTA, and depicted as Ceres/Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility, holding a massive specter in one hand and corn ear in the other. In fact, some even worshipped her as the “new Demeter”. The Faustina as Ceres image bears strong resemblance to the female figure on Roman coins around this time epitomizing the territory Britannia. In addition to promulgation via imagery, Faustina also carried on in the form of her daughter, who was to marry Antonius’ heir and next in line for Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Thus, Faustina the Elder was not only posthumously Antonius’ wife and Empress, but also aunt, mother-in-law, and grandmother to future Emperors, thus epitomizing the imperial family, and Rome herself. Her influence persists even to this day, in neoclassical sculptures and female icons of Liberty. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Faustina Sr., 138-140/1 AD, AR Denrius (2.79 g), posthumous issue (struck 147-161 AD), NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, hair braided in bun, DIVA FAVSTINA, Reverse: Ceres standing half left, stalks of grain in right, long torch in left, AVGVSTA, References: RCV 4582, RSC 78, RIC 360.

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