Posthumous denarius of Faustina Senior

This Roman silver coin was unearthed by Richard Wells during a club dig held in Devon on the 11th of May. Richard said a coin like this had been on his bucket list for ages and he asked if I could give him a valuation on it. He is hoping he will then be able to acquire it from the landowner.

The coin is a posthumous denarius of Faustina Senior, who died in AD141. On the obverse is a draped bust of the empress facing right and a legend reading DIVA FAVSTINA. On the reverse the standing figure of Ceres raises one hand and holds a long torch in the other. The legend on the reverse reads AVGVSTA.

In volume II of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values denarii of this type are listed as number 4583. In Roman Imperial Coins the type is number 361. The date of issue is AD 147.

Valuation

The detail that stands out on the obverse would grade about VF but the second part of the legend is very weak. On the reverse most of the detail is weak and this side is only about Fine. The surface of the coin looks a bit rough and both sides are an unattractive colour.

This find has a number of minus points and in its present state of preservation I would price it no higher than £15-18. Despite not being the best looking coin in the world, it does at least shorten Richard’s bucket list.

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