Copper As of Faustina Jr. RIC 1670

Copper As (24mm 11.94g) Struck AD 161-175 Rome

Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA Bust wearing circlet, right

Rev: SALVTI AVGVSTAE Salus seated left, feeding snake twined around altar

RIC III 1671, Sear 5303
ex. Harry Stewart Collection, ex Zagrah Numismatika

This is a beautiful piece of ancient Roman history! It is a bronze coin called an As (plural: Asses), which was a daily pocket-money coin used by ordinary Romans to buy things like bread, wine, or baths.

This specific coin was minted in Rome sometime between AD 161 and 175 to honor Faustina the Younger, one of the most famous and powerful empresses in Roman history.

Here is a breakdown of what the coin is telling us!

The Front (Obverse): Meet the Empress

The front of the coin features a detailed profile portrait of Faustina the Younger facing to the right.

• The Inscription: It reads FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Augusta was the highest title a Roman woman could receive—it basically means "Empress" or "The Venerable One."
• Who was she? Faustina wasn't just any empress; she was imperial royalty from birth. She was the daughter of the Emperor Antoninus Pius and the wife of the famous philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius. Together, they had at least 14 children! She was deeply loved by the army, who called her the "Mother of the Camp," and she traveled with Marcus Aurelius on his military campaigns.

The Back (Reverse): A Prayer for Good Health

The back of the coin sends a very specific message about health, safety, and well-being. It features a woman sitting down, feeding a pet snake that is wrapping itself around a small altar.

• The Inscription: It reads SALVTI AVGVSTAE, which translates to "To the Health/Safety of the Empress."
• The Imagery: The seated woman is Salus, the Roman goddess of health, cleanliness, and safety (where we get our word "salutation" and "salubrious").
• The Snake Trick: In ancient Rome, snakes weren't spooky—they were symbols of healing, rebirth, and medicine (because they shed their skin and look brand new). Feeding a snake at an altar was a visual way of thanking the gods for good health or praying for a speedy recovery.

Putting the Pieces Together: Why was it made?

Roman coins were like the newspapers or social media feeds of the ancient world. The Emperor used them to blast political messages, propaganda, or celebrations across the entire empire.

Because Faustina had so many children and frequently traveled to rugged military frontiers with her husband, her health was a major public concern. When she fell ill, or conversely, when she successfully recovered from a rough sickness or a difficult childbirth, the mint in Rome would strike coins like this one.

It was their way of saying to the Roman people: "Good news, everyone! The gods have answered our prayers, and our beloved Empress Salus is keeping Faustina safe and healthy!"