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Product Description
SEE MORE ANCIENT ROMAN COIN JEWELRY
With its clear inscription to the lower left reading "DIVA", this mesmerizing and massive yellow genuine ancient Roman bronze coin of exquisite detail has been set in a large 14K yellow gold teardrop pendant setting - a perfect embellishment for any modern-day DIVA! The gold pendant setting features a very large, open bail allowing it to be used as a show-stopping slide on an Omega chain as well as any large round chain. The portrait of Faustina Senior shows her hair arranged in an elegant array of braids and decorated with interwoven strands of pearls. This feature indicates that this coin was minted at her death by her husband and then ruler, Antoninus Pius who loved and adored her like no other. Greatly mourning the loss of her, he issued these coins commemorating her death. Only found on these unique commemorative coins is the portrait of her shown bearing the pearl strand hair decoration. It is coins like these that have provided archaeologists and historians a glimpse of what the hair styles and dress were like in ancient Roman times! The color of the bronze is also quite unique, much more yellow like gold, instead of the usual reddish hue from the copper in the bronze. With a natural darkened 2000 year patina and such stately artwork, this artifact of classic Rome makes for quite a remarkable centerpiece to be worn at the envy of all its admirers. Seldom do I use a coin of such dimension and certainly, the tone of the bronze is rarely this bright and of this hue. Free gift box included.
*** Chain necklace shown is NOT included
HISTORY
Faustina was the wife of the great Roman emperor Antoninus Pius. During his rule of twenty three peaceful years, he organized great festivities to celebrate Rome's 900th anniversary! Faustina Senior was loved very much by her husband. They lived happily together during one of the most peaceful and prosperous periods of Roman history. At her untimely death in 141 A.D., Antoninus Pius was shattered and greatly mourned his beloved. He declared his wife a goddess and had a temple built and consecrated in her name. Coins bearing the inscription "DIVA FAUSTINA" were issued to commemorate her and unique to these issues, she was shown with an elegant and elaborate hair style decorated with interwoven strands of pearls.
Like her husband, Faustina was highly respected by all of Rome. She was very active in charitable works and the betterment of the lives of the poor. Upon her death, Antoninus Pius established a charity organization and fund for impoverished girls in her name, calling it the "Girls of Faustina".
In contrast to the typical bizarre and severely dysfunctional families of past emperors, the rule and family of Antoninus Pius was one of ethics and family values. Both Antoninus Pius and his adopted son and succeeding ruler of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, along with their respective wives, Faustina Senior and Faustina Junior, can be viewed upon as some of the most stable and respected members of the Empire's ruling family in all of its history.
The sestertius was a big bronze coin of the later Roman republic and early Roman empire. These big coins gave the engraver a lot of surface area. Obverse portraits were detailed and lifelike. The reverse images could transmit complex themes and ideas. The sestertius was the primary denomination of accounting in Roman business. Payment made in silver denarii or even in gold would always be counted in sestertii. The value conversion was one sestertius equaled a fourth of a silver denarius. There were 100 sestertii to an imperial aureus, the primary Roman gold coin of ancient times.
