Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
RB116485. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC III AP1105, BMCRE IV 1490, SRCV II 4607, Cohen II 12, Hunter II 80 - 85, F, porous, rev. off center, 22.306g, 31.8mm, 330o, Rome mint, DIVA FAVSTINA (Latin: The divine Faustina), draped bust right, hair elaborately waived and banded, drawn up at the back and piled in a round coil at top; reverse AETERNITAS (Latin: eternal), Aeternitas standing left, phoenix on globe in right hand, raising fold of skirt with left hand, S - C (Latin abbreviation: senatus consulto - by decree of the Senate) divided across field near center
Aeternitas was the divine personification of eternity. Antoninus Pius wrote of his wife Faustina, 'I would rather live with her on Gyara [an island of exile] than without her in the palace.' Sadly, Faustina died just two years into his 23 year reign. At his request, the Senate deified her, and he minted a massive series of commemorative coins in her honor.