FAUSTINA II
AD 161-175
Silver Denarius. 3.16g, 18.2mm
MINTED: Rome mint, AD 161-175
REF: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 706 (scarce)
OBVERSE: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust of Faustina the Younger, bare-headed, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right.
REVERSE: MATRI MAGNAE, Cybele, towered, draped, seated left on throne, holding branch and resting left elbow on drum; behind, lion.

Grade/Notes:
Almost Very Fine. Nice, bold portrait. Scarce type with Cybele, the Great Mother, on reverse.
 
Historical Notes:
Faustina the Younger was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, betrothed to one his adopted sons and successors, Marcus Aurelius. Some historical records have cast Faustina in a poor light, suggesting that she was guilty of adultery and even treasonous political machinations. Other sources, however, say that the couple loved each other, and Faustina frequently accompanied Aurelius on his military campaigns and was held in great respect by the soldiers. In 175, while with Aurelius at a military camp in Halala in Cappadocia, Faustina suffered a fatal accident and died. Stricken with sorrow, Aurelius had her deified and had Halala renamed Faustinopolis in her memory. She had given birth to thirteen of their children.