I won this coin in Frank Robinson's latest auction: Roman Empire, Antoninus Pius, posthumous, under Marcus Aurelius (c. 161 AD). AR denarius. Obverse: Bust of Antoninus Pius right, drapery over shoulder, inscription DIVVS ANTONINVS. Reverse: Four-tiered funeral pyre, inscription CONSECRATIO. RIC (Marcus Aurelius) 438. Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161 AD) is generally ranked as one of the better Roman emperors. While he did not have any notable military victories or initiate major government reforms, his reign was generally a time of peace and prosperity within the Empire, and Antoninus was a sensible and temperate man who did not abuse his powers or indulge in persecution of his enemies. After his death in 161 AD, he was quickly deified by the Senate upon recommendation of his two adopted sons and successors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. This coin reflects that act, with the obverse legend of "Antoninus the God" and the reverse "Consecrated". The structure on the reverse looks a bit like a wedding cake, but is in fact an elaborate funeral pyre, including various decorations. At this point, I will quote at some length from Seth W. Stevenson's "Dictionary of Roman Coins": "The Rogus, or Funeral Pile, is described by Dion, as 'a structure in the form of a turret, with three stories, of ivory and gold, and ornamented with statues.' Herodian describes it as a mass of quadrangular shape, filled at the bottom with combustibles, on which again a second tier was placed of similar form and appearance, but narrower and furnished with openings; to this a third and a fourth were gradually added, each gradually diminishing in size, till the whole resembled a watch-tower. -The ceremony of consecration was very solemn and imposing. After the body had been clothed in the habiliments of death, it was placed on a bed of ivory; young men, chosen from the equestrian order, bore it on their shoulders to the pile. The corpse then being introduced into the second layer or story, it was surrounded with aromatics and precious balms. The usual ceremonies being completed, a torch was applied, and the mass was consumed. After this apotheosis, the deceased emperor or empress had temples, altars, and priests dedicated to his or her honour, and the same worship was paid to the defunct, as paganism rendered to its gods and goddesses; whilst the Augusti, or Augustae, were thenceforth called DIVI or DIVAE." I won this coin in Frank Robinson's latest auction at $65. This is a reasonable price for the coin, which is a fairly common type of an under-collected emperor. (Sane emperors who oversaw peace and prosperity just don't have the name draw of their more flamboyant peers.) Post your coins showing pyres or deification.
Nicely struck coin with good detail Parthicus, a bargain for 65 bucks, I have a denarius not as nice as yours and a Sestertius.
I have copied that and pasted it into my will as instructions for my funeral. (Including souvenir Consecratio coins to be issued.) Unfair to my heirs, you say? Well, selling my collection should pay for part of it, at least... Here's a couple Consecratios for the thread:
I'd like to do the same thing at my funeral. I don't think it's likely that my heirs will strike any coins, but I'd love being consecrated! Great coin @Parthicus ! I bid in the auction too, but lost.
It is a nice coin. My AP denarius is a bit unusual lacking the Consecratio reverse in favor of DIVO PIO. Many posthumous coins used dative on the obverse but this one had a nominative obverse and dative reverse each using a different part of his name. The seated figure is Pius. I paid $84 in 1992 so don't let them tell you about the good old days when things were cheap.
Consecration issue for his wife: Faustina I, Augusta AD 138-141, wife of Antoninus Pius Roman AR Denarius Rome, AD 147-161 3.10 g; 17.6 mm Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: CONSECRATIO, peacock walking right, head left. Refs: RIC 348; BMCRE 473; Cohen 175; RCV 4594.
Nice write-up and coin. I think the price is good too. I'll show the one struck about 90 years after his death by Trajan Decius. DIVUS ANTONINUS PIUS AR Antoninianus. 4.86g, 22.6mm. Rome mint, AD 250-251, commemorative issue struck under Trajan Decius. RIC IV 90 (Trajan Decius). O: DIVO PIO, radiate head right. R: CONSECRATIO, lighted altar.
RI Augustus DIVUS under Tiberius 22-23 CE Radiate Alter RI Julia Flavia Titi Diva 90-91 CE d-Titus concubine-uncleDomitian AE Sestert 33mm 20.4g - Carpentum mules SPQR - SC rare RI Constantius I Chlorus 293-306 CE DIVO AE Quinarius Thesalonika 317-318 Seated RIC VII 25 R5 RARE
I own the Stevenson book, but have not read as much as I would like to. I always assumed that the body was placed atop the pyre. "Come on baby light my pyre Place my body two stories higher" Sorry
