Divus Septimius Severus, AR Denarius, 211?, Rome
DIVO SEVERO PIO
Bare head right
CONSECRATIO
Four tiered ustrinum – the lowest most of which represents a plain podium with two large festoons, and the profile of a festoon at each end.
The next tier forms the sepulchral chamber for the reception of the dead body. In the center is a pair of
paneled
folding doors, flanked by two niches on each side with statues and surmounted by a cornice.
The tier above has four square-headed niches with statues and a cornice represented by beads; and the upper forms a lofty
plain attic with hanging drapery in front, the folds of which are very marked. A lit torch flanks each end of the upper tier, which forms a pedestal surmounted by the quadriga of the deceased, with his
statue in the chariot and holding a palm leaf in his left hand. All the tiers diminish in width from the base upwards so as to
assume a pyramidal form.
19mm x 20mm, 2.91g