Diva Faustina I – Denarius Replica (Struck originally c. AD 141)

This replica is based on a silver denarius issued in honor of Faustina the Elder, wife of Emperor Antoninus Pius. After her death in AD 140, she was deified, and the Roman state minted a series of memorial coins celebrating her virtues and divine status.

Obverse:
The front shows the draped bust of Faustina I, facing right. Her elaborately waved hair is arranged in multiple loops and gathered into a high bun — a hairstyle associated with dignity, refinement, and the idealized image of the Roman empress. The inscription DIVA FAVSTINA identifies her as a deified imperial figure.

Reverse:
The reverse features Pietas, the goddess of devotion, standing before a burning altar. She extends her hand in a gesture of offering and holds a box of incense in the other. This imagery symbolizes piety, loyalty, and the virtuous memory of Faustina, emphasizing her role as a model of Roman womanhood and divine patron of the imperial household.

Historical Context:
The original coins were struck in AD 141, shortly after Faustina’s death and deification. Antoninus Pius issued an extensive commemorative coinage to honor her memory, fund religious ceremonies, and promote the ideals of family, devotion, and stability within the empire. These memorial denarii became some of the most recognizable and influential portraits of Roman imperial women.