(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, 27.16 g.

(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, 27.16 g.

Antoninus Pius

146-161 CE

Obverse: Draped bust of Faustina the Younger facing right; FAVSTINA AVG(VSTA) PII AVG(VSTI) FIL(IA): Faustina Augusta, daughter of Pius Augustus.

Reverse: Venus standing facing left, holding apple in right hand and scepter in left; S(ENATVS)-C(ONSVLTO): by decree of the Senate; VENVS: Venus.

Style/Period: Roman Empire

Female members of the imperial family were often associated with major goddesses of the Roman Pantheon such as Juno, Ceres, and Venus. Venus in particular was identified with empresses. On this sestertius of Antoninus Pius in honor of his daughter Faustina the Younger, Venus holds an apple, the prize she was awarded when judged the most beautiful goddess in the Judgment of Paris. After Faustina's death and consecration, her husband, Marcus Aurelius, erected an altar to her before the temple of Venus.
-- Kathleen L. Metzger Newmyer, LU '94

Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage III: Antoninus Pius to Commodus (London 1930) 1387.

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Munzen and Medaillen, 6/19/1972.

91.183

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890

Roman, Empire, Faustina the Younger, Venus, apple, scepter, Antoninus Pius