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USTRINUM (PYRE), ANTONINUS PIUS, (Ustrinum Antoninorum)
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Orichalcum sestertius (21.73, 31mm, 12h). Rome mint, Struck under Marcus Aurelius, AD 161.
DIVVS ANTONINVS, bear head of Antoninus Pius facing right
CONSECRATIO (around) S C (in field) Four tiered funeral pyre or rather an ustrinum surmounted by a statue of Antoninus in a quadriga, facing. The lowest tier is hung with wreaths, the second has a door in the centre with two niches at each side with a statue in each; the third has six niches each with a statue; the fourth is hung with draperies and flanked by torches.
RIC (M.Aurelius) 1266 (Common), BMC 872, Cohen 165, Foss (Roman Historical Coins) 136:15
ex Roma Numismatics; Ex Künker
Minted under Marcus Aurelius in joint reign with Verus, in honour of the funeral and deification of Antoninus Pius. Traditionally the structure on the reverse is called a Funeral Pyre, but there are good arguments to believe this is in fact a stone pyramide building called "ustrinum" where the ashes were kept: see an article at BeastCoins.
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