Roman Silver Denarius of Faustina Sr. (AD138-140) NGC(XF)

Weight/Dimensions: 43.6 g | 3.4" L x 2.4" W x 0.4" H Grade Condition: (XF) Metal: Silver Obverse: Portrait of emperor Reverse: Various pagan deities reflecting contemporary political, military, and religious themes. Faustina the Elder was of noble blood; Trajan was her great-great-great uncle. Her marriage to Antoninus Pius helped legitimize his claim to the throne—one of many examples of Rome’s matrilineal lines of succession. Their marriage was a happy one, especially by standards of royal families. When she died in 140 at the age of 40, the devastated Emperor ordered her deified; hence the inscription DIVA FAVSTINA on the coins made in her honor (diva means divine).