Both sides of an irregularly shaped greenish bronze coin with relief decoration on each side.　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a woman facing right, her hair is elaborately waved and piled in bun on top of head, loose clothing draped over shoulders; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: D I V A / F A U S T I N A. The other side of the coin depicts a woman standing facing left, right arm outstretched holding a small bird on a small globe, her left hand pulling a fold of her clothing away from her; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: A E T E R / N I T A S / S C.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2008.115.253
People
Antoninus Pius, Roman (r. 138 - 161 CE)
Faustina I, Roman (r. 138-140)
Title
Sestertius of Antoninus Pius struck for his wife Faustina I, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
141 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Middle
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/186587

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Metal
AE
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
23.85 g
Die Axis
4
Denomination
sestertius
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: DIVA FAUSTINA
  • Reverse Inscription: AETER NITAS / S C

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
BMC IV 1493 p.240

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University
Accession Year
2008
Object Number
2008.115.253
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Bust of Faustina I, draped r.
Rev.: Aeternitas, draped, stabding l., holding phoenix on globe in r. hand and fold of her skirt with the l.

Exhibition History

  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu