Antoninus Pius DIVO PIO AR Denarius, struck under Marcus Aurelius, Roman Empire 162 AD Silver Coin Museum Reproduction CSRD0154

Throughout the course of the Western Roman Empire, the culture and attitude surrounding the status of the Emperor shifted in subtle ways. When Rome was still a republic, they did not worship any living figure, instead preferring to acknowledge their gods as deriving from humanity at some point.

By the time Caesar lead Rome, he often claimed that he descended from the god Mars. By the time Caesar was assassinated, Mark Anthony and his supporters began asserting his divinity, and the Imperial Cult of Rome was formed.

Following this, most Emperors of Rome were deified upon their deaths by their successors, with Vespasian reportedly declaring “Oh dear, I get the feeling I’m becoming a god!” upon his deathbed. However, the deification process was formalized by the senate (in typical Roman fashion) – and included a public imperial funeral, a consecration of the next emperor, and finally an apotheosis where an eagle was released from the funereal pyre of the deceased former emperor, symbolizing their ascension to the heavens.

Like most notable events, this deification process was also depicted on coinage, as in this example of a “Divo Pio” denarius – which depicts Antoninus Pius in a divine state following his death. This denarius was minted under the reign of his successor Marcus Aurelius in 161 A.D. Pius was a popular emperor who reigned over a period of peace for the Empire, so his deification nomination was readily carried out by the senate.

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Bare head right
Legend:
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP

Reverse side
Square altar with double doors
Legend:
DIVO PIO

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.