Silver denarius of Faustina II the Younger, daughter of Antoninus Pius and future wife of Marcus Aurelius, struck at the Rome mint between AD 145 and 161, belongs to issues from the early phase of her presence in the official dynastic propaganda system, prior to the beginning of Marcus Aurelius’ sole reign. Coins of this type were produced at a time when Faustina, as the daughter of the reigning emperor, played a significant role in the Antonine succession policy.
The obverse bears the bust of the empress facing right with the legend FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, expanded as Faustina Augusta, Pii Augusti filia, clearly identifying her as the daughter of Antoninus Pius. This form of titulature is characteristic of issues struck before she fully assumed her position as Augusta as the wife of a ruling emperor and serves as an important chronological indicator for this group of coinage.
The reverse depicts the personification Concordia seated left, holding a flower and resting her arm on a cornucopia, with the legend CONCORDIA. In Roman iconography Concordia symbolized harmony and unity, both in a political and familial sense. In the context of Faustina II’s coinage, this motif directly reflects the dynastic importance of her marriage to Marcus Aurelius, concluded around AD 145, which formed a key element of Antoninus Pius’ succession arrangements.
Roman Imperial
Faustina II Junior (147-176, doughter of Antininus Pius, wife od Marcus Aurelius), Denarius 145-161, Rome mint
Obverse: draped bust right
FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL
Reverse: Concordia seated left, holding flower, resting left elbow on cornucopiae
CONCORDIA
Diameter 19 mm, weight 3.07 g
