How to Identify the Aureus of Faustina II
Collector checks for the Faustina II gold aureus: portrait and hairstyle, legends, size and weight, reverse types, look-alikes, and authentication.
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Start with metal, size, and weight. A genuine aureus is a small, dense gold coin about 18-20 mm across and roughly 7-7.3 grams. The high purity means it should show no tarnish or corrosion and will feel heavy for its diameter. A lighter, larger, or discolored piece is a warning sign, and a silver coin of similar design is more likely a denarius than an aureus.
Read the obverse portrait and legend. Faustina II is shown as a draped bust facing right with a characteristic braided or waved hairstyle, frequently gathered into a bun at the back. The surrounding Latin legend names her; issues of the roughly 147-150 AD period commonly read as forms of FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, identifying her as the daughter of Antoninus Pius. Later legends such as FAVSTINA AVGVSTA point to issues struck after Marcus Aurelius became emperor, so the legend helps place the coin in time.
Examine the reverse to attribute the issue. Her reverses vary widely: a standing or seated figure holding a spear, patera, cornucopia, scepter, or child, personifying a virtue, deity, fertility, or concord. Record the figure, its attributes, and the reverse legend, then match them against standard references (such as RIC) to pin down the exact type, since the reverse determines the specific issue rather than the portrait alone.
Watch for look-alikes and imitations. Aurei and denarii of the elder Faustina (Faustina I, wife of Antoninus Pius) share the family name and can be confused with the younger Faustina, so distinguish them by legend and hairstyle. Silver denarii with the same portrait are common and are not aurei; gilt or plated forgeries and modern replica copies also circulate. Confirm the coin is struck rather than cast by looking for sharp raised devices, hand-engraved die detail, and the absence of casting seams or a grainy, soapy surface.
Authenticate before committing. Because her gold is valuable and faked, weigh and measure the coin, inspect it under magnification, and treat documented provenance as essential. For any significant purchase, rely on reputable ancient-coin specialists, third-party authentication, and published auction records rather than a seller's description alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell Faustina II from Faustina I?
Both are named Faustina, so read the legend and note the hairstyle. Faustina II's legends often mark her as the daughter of Antoninus Pius (PII AVG FIL), while Faustina I, his wife, was frequently deified with DIVA in her legends.
How do I know it is an aureus and not a denarius?
The aureus is gold and the denarius is silver. A silver-colored coin with the same portrait is almost certainly a denarius, even when the design matches.
What size and weight confirms authenticity?
Expect roughly 18-20 mm and about 7-7.3 grams of high-purity gold. Wrong weight, off diameter, or any tarnish are reasons to be cautious and seek expert review.
Do I need the reverse to identify the exact coin?
Yes. The reverse figure and legend determine the specific type and approximate date, so full attribution requires examining both sides against standard references.