Faustina II AR Denarius (LAETITIAE PVBLICAE, RIC III 506a)

FAUSTINA II, as Augusta under Antoninus Pius
AR Denarius (18.79mm, 3.12g, 7h)
Struck Dec. AD 147/8. Rome mint
Obverse: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, bare-headed and draped bust of Faustina II right, wearing Beckmann Type 1 hairstyle
Reverse: LAETITIAE PVBLICAE, Laetitia, draped, standing left, holding diadem in extended right hand and vertical sceptre in left
References: RIC III 506a, RCV 4705

From the Dr. Hugh Preston Collection.

Attractively toned with hints of iridescence. A particularly beautiful young portrait of Faustina, struck in high relief. This reverse type proclaiming joy to the public (LAETITIAE PVBLICAE) was struck to commemorate the birth of Faustina's first child, daughter Domitia Faustina, born late in AD 147.

Colección : Roman Imperial - the Nerva-Antonine Emperors