Faustina II Sestertius “ivnoni Lvcinae” — Certificate Of Authenticity

A bronze sestertius of Faustina II, struck at Rome within the broad AD 161–176 sequence, a highly evocative specimen for the collector, because it pairs on the obverse the Augusta’s draped bust under the legend FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, and on the reverse a familial and votive scene dedicated to Juno Lucina — IVNONI LVCINAE — in which the goddess, standing, holds an infant and is accompanied by two young girls, with S C placed to either side of the field; an iconographic and epigraphic combination precisely described for RIC III 1649 / BMCRE 918 and regularly attested in specialized sale comparanda.

Careful observation under ×10 magnification and raking light: direct examination highlights an old patina predominantly dark green, animated by localized reddish-brown nuances, with relief remaining sufficiently structured to provide, on the obverse, a secure reading of the portrait (profile, hairstyle, shoulder drapery), and, on the reverse, immediate recognition of the composition (Juno carrying the child, the two girls on either side, as well as the S at left and the C at right), this set of markers making the typological attribution fully controllable by comparison with published references.

Authority / status: Faustina II, Augusta (wife of Marcus Aurelius).

Mint / type dating: Rome, AD 161–176 (range commonly given for this issue).

Denomination / metal: Sestertius, bronze (Æ).

Weight / diameter: 21.75 g; 31 mm (specimen data).

Obverse (type and legend): FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.

Reverse (type and legend): IVNONI LVCINAE, Juno standing left holding an infant, accompanied by two young girls; S C in the field.

References: RIC III 1649 (Aurelius); BMCRE 918 (Aurelius & Verus).

Rarity indication (catalogue source): Numista proposes, for this type, a high rarity index (presented as “94”), useful as a market reference point without replacing the individual examination of each specimen.

The legend IVNONI LVCINAE refers to Juno Lucina, a cult figure traditionally associated with childbirth and the protection of women in labor, a connection reflected in numismatics through reverses where the goddess appears in direct relation to infancy and fertility; an issue in the name of Faustina II—an empress identified with dynastic motherhood in official representation—thus fits with strong coherence into the public language of vows for family prosperity and imperial continuity.

For a cabinet, this sestertius offers a rare quality: a scene that, while remaining strictly Roman in its codes (tutelary goddess, S C, public virtue/cult), speaks immediately to the eye through its family dimension—infant and children—and through the clarity of its intention, making it a particularly appealing piece for an Antonine collection, an ensemble devoted to empresses, or a thematic series around protective deities and the rites of birth.

The provenance is European, from an established numismatic dealer, and the acquisition was conducted through a specialized international transaction within a recognized numismatic network, in accordance with the highest standards of the art and heritage market; the attribution rests on direct concordance of the legends and arrangement (Juno with infant, two girls, S C) with RIC III 1649 / BMCRE 918, as repeated in published catalogues and sale comparanda.
Each specimen is examined, described, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity consistent with the standards of the art and heritage market, this notice being deliberately limited to observable and documentable elements so as to ground confidence on a controllable truth.