Faustina Junior wife of Marcus Aurelius AD 161-180 Silver Denarius

Faustina Junior wife of Marcus Aurelius as Caesar AD 161-180 Silver Denarius

Venus with dove

Rome

RCV5266; 19mm, 3.00g

 

Faustina Junior, daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina Senior, was originally betrothed to Lucius Verus by the arrangement of Hadrian but these plans changed when her father became emperor. She was instead promised to Marcus Aurelius, who was elevated to Caesar in AD 139. Their marriage in AD 145 was politically strategic but also remarkably fruitful, producing at least twelve children, including the future emperor Commodus.

Faustina was granted the title of Augusta in AD 147 following the birth of her first child, marking the beginning of her coinage. For the next fourteen years, her coins were issued under the authority of her father, and from AD 161 onwards, under her husband.

Following her death in AD 175 Marcus Aurelius had her deified and issued a substantial posthumous coinage in her honour in AD 176. This included both precious and base metal issues, reflecting her elevated divine status and the emperor’s deep personal devotion. Faustina Junior’s coinage provides valuable insight into imperial family life, dynastic politics, and the symbolic role of the empress in Roman society.