The reverse of this sestertius, issued shortly after the death of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned A.D. 138-161), shows the pyre that was erected as part of the customary proceedings of imperial funerals. Herodian, a Greek who may have resided in Rome, de-scribed a similar multitiered pyre constructed for the funeral of Septimius Severus (reigned A.D. 193-211): "a square building, which consists entirely of vast wooden beams . . . decorated with gold-embroidered drapery, ivory carvings, and a variety of paintings. On top of this structure there is another one of the same shape and decoration but smaller, and with open windows and doors. On top of this are a third and a fourth tier, until finally comes the smallest of all" (Roman History 4.2.6-7). The lowest tier of the pyre on this coin has been adorned with hanging drapery and garlands of flowers. The second and third stories are punctuated by openings, either arched or triangular at the top, occupied by standing figures that probably represent wax effigies of the deceased emperor's ancestors. An image of the emperor himself, riding in a quadriga (four-horse chariot), sits atop the pyre.

These costly and elaborate structures were temporary. As the culmination of the funeral, a fire was set, thereby cremating the emperor's body, which was laid on top of the pyre. The process of burning was believed to release the emperor's soul, so that it could fly up to the heavens on the wings of an eagle; the senate required a witness to testify to seeing the eagle rise from the flaming pyre before officially designating the deceased emperor a divus, or god of the Roman state.

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