Roman Denarius Coins

Inv. No.: c108
Date: A.D. 161-180.
Weight: 2.79g
 
Obv.: Antoninus Pius, head bare, left shoulder draped.
DIVVS ANTONINVS

Rev.: Four-tier funeral pyre, decorated with hangings and garlands, surmounted by quadriga.
CONSECRATIO

The lowest level of such a pyre contained combustible materials. The body of the dead person was dressed, placed on a bed of ivory, borne to the pyre, put in the second tier, surrounded with balms and spices and, after a religious service, burnt. Thus, this coin, minted by M. Aurelius in memory of his father, illustrates how the latter became DIVVS.

Comparanda:
RIC, M. Aurelius 438.