Roman Bronze As Coin - Rome 140-141 AD - Diva Faustina I

Roman Bronze As Coin - Rome 140-141 AD - Diva Faustina I

• Date: 140-141 AD
• Size: 27 mm, 8.61 g
• Composition: Bronze
• Internal SKU: 87X406

HISTORICAL NOTE: Diva Faustina I, also known as Faustina the Elder, was the wife of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and served as Roman Empress from 138 to 141 CE. After her death in 140 CE, Antoninus Pius deified her, and she was honored with the title "Diva," meaning divine. Faustina I was widely respected and beloved, and her deification led to the construction of a temple in her honor in the Roman Forum, one of the key religious and architectural landmarks of ancient Rome. Coins were minted bearing her image and titles, which played a significant role in promoting her divine status and the legitimacy of the Antonine dynasty. Her legacy continued to be celebrated throughout the reign of her husband and beyond, reflecting her enduring influence on Roman imperial propaganda and religious practices. As: The As was a fundamental unit of the Roman coinage system, first produced in the late 4th century BCE. It was initially a large bronze coin, but its weight and composition changed over time. By the 1st century AD, the As was primarily made of copper and had significantly reduced in size. Despite these changes, the As remained in regular use for more than 500 years, serving as a standard unit of currency throughout the Roman Republic and the early Roman Empire.