Divus Antoninus Pius AR Denarius, Rome AD 161-162, Altar, RIC III 441

Antoninus Pius (Divus), denarius, silver, posthumous issue under Marcus Aurelius, AD 161–162, 3.25 g, 18 mm. Rome mint. Obverse: DIVVS ANTONINVS; bare head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse: DIVO PIO; square garlanded altar with panelled front set on a base. Struck at Rome shortly after the Senate’s deification of Antoninus Pius. Reference: RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 441.

Issued immediately after Antoninus Pius died in AD 161, this posthumous denarius belongs to the consecration series that established his cult as Divus Pius. The altar reverse refers to sacrifices for the deified emperor and likely alludes to the cult altar associated with the Temple of Divus Antoninus and Diva Faustina in the Roman Forum. Such issues emphasized the legitimacy and continuity of power under Marcus Aurelius (and Lucius Verus) by honoring their predecessor according to established Roman religious practice.