About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays a bust of Empress Faustina the Younger right, bareheaded, and draped. The back (reverse) depicts the goddess Juno (or Faustina) standing left between two children; extending right arm over a child and cradling an infant in left.
Antoninus Pius, living up to his name, portrays himself practicing religious rites by making a sacrifice to the gods. His daughter the empress Faustina the Younger, was paired with an image of Juno who, as the wife of Jupiter, symbolized marriage and family and acted as the divine protector of children. Rome encouraged large families to populate its provinces and fill the army’s ranks. Faustina was the wife of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and mother of his thirteen children.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Roman
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Title
- Aureus (Coin) Portraying Empress Faustina the Younger
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Place
- Rome (Minted in)
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Date
- Struck 161 CE–175 CE
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Medium
- Gold
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Inscriptions
- Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA Reverse: IVNONI LVCINAE
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Dimensions
- Diam.: 2 cm (13/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
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Reference Number
- 1922.4877
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/5648/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
