Fausta, wife of Constantine the Great and mother of three future emperors.

Fausta, wife of Constantine the Great and mother of three future emperors.

Obverse:

•  Portrait: Draped bust of Fausta facing right, with an elaborate braided hairstyle gathered into a bun. She’s wearing a necklace.

•  Legend: FL MAX FAVSTA AVG

Expands to Flavia Maxima Fausta Augusta — her official title as empress.

Reverse:

•  Figure: Fausta as Spes, the Roman personification of Hope. She’s standing left, veiled, holding two children in her arms.

•  Legend: SPES REIPVBLICAE

"The Hope of the Republic." The propaganda message: Fausta’s children are the future stability of the empire.

•  Mint mark: SMHA in exergue. That’s Sacra Moneta Heraclea, officina A — so it was struck at the Heraclea mint, 1st workshop, around 326-328 AD.