Faustina, 138-140, Denarius

Faustina Senior, denarius, AR, as Augusta under Antoninus Pius, Rome mint, AD 138–140, 3.34 g, 18 mm. Obverse with bare-headed and draped bust of Faustina right; legend FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Reverse with Juno Regina standing left, holding patera and scepter; legend IVNONI REGINAE. Well-centered strike with clear legends and fully legible types on both sides. RIC III Antoninus Pius 338.

Issued shortly after Faustina’s elevation to Augusta following Antoninus Pius’ accession in AD 138, this denarius reflects the early dynastic messaging of the new reign. The reverse dedication to Juno Regina associates the empress with the chief goddess of Roman marriage and queenship, a conventional and politically useful theme used to present the imperial household as legitimate, stable, and aligned with traditional Roman religious values.