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

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a woman facing right, long hair pulled back and wrapped up into a bun a top her head, loose flowing clothing draped over shoulders; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: D I V A / F A V S T I N A. The other side of the coin depicts a peacock walking to the right, head turned back facing left, wings closed by its side, with tail feathers protruding from its back; surrounding the top border, the Latin characters: C O N S E R C R A T I O.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.253
People
Faustina I, Roman (r. 138-140)
Antoninus Pius, Roman (r. 138 - 161 CE)
Title
Aureus of Antoninus Pius struck for the death of Faustina I, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
140 - 141 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Middle
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/195491

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
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
7.23 g
Die Axis
6
Denomination
aureus
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: DIVA FAVSTINA
  • Reverse Inscription: CONSECRATIO

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
BMC IV 471, p.. 65

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.253
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.:: Draped bust of Faustina to r.
Rev.: Peacock walking to r., head turned back.

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • Ancient to Modern, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/31/2012 - 06/01/2013
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

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