Faustina the Younger, 161-175, As

Faustina the Younger, As, AE, AD 147–161 (under Antoninus Pius), 12.38 g, 27 mm. Rome mint. Obv. FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII F; draped bust right. Rev. VENVS S C; Venus standing left, holding apple and vertical scepter; S C in field. Struck at Rome under senatorial authority for the bronze coinage. Reference: RIC III Antoninus Pius 1408 (As).

Faustina the Younger, daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius, was elevated to Augusta in AD 147, and her coinage under her father’s reign served dynastic aims by highlighting her role in the imperial succession. The legend explicitly identifies her as the daughter of Antoninus Pius, and the Venus reverse, common in her series, emphasizes marriage and fertility themes consistent with her public image and numerous offspring, including the future emperor Commodus. The S C indicates the Senate’s authority over bronze issues struck at Rome.