Faustina the Younger was the daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder. In 145 AD, she married her cousin Marcus Aurelius, who became emperor in 161 AD, at which time she was given the title Empress. She not only bore her husband fourteen children, but also accompanied him in the field on military campaigns. Reports of her adulterous behavior were wide-spread at the time. 

This coin pays tribute to Faustina's concern for public health, as well as for her own. Her fecundity was remarkable, although only six of her fourteen babies survived to adulthood. One, Commodus, became an infamous emperor.  

The obverse shows Faustina with one of her ever-changing hair-styles and the inscription (translated from Latin) "Fortunate Empress Faustina." On the reverse, Faustina stands, holding an infant, the inscription reading "Public Health."