Acquisition number: 1979.09
Other images
Obv.: Head of Otho, bare, r. IMP(erator) M. OTHO CA[ESAR AVG(ustus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate)]
Rev.: Securitas, draped, standing l., holding wreath in right hand and sceptre in left hand. SECVRI[TAS] P(opuli) R(omani).
Title: Denarius of Otho - 1979.09
Acquisition number: 1979.09
Culture or period: Roman Imperial
Date: AD 69 (Jan. - April)
Material: Metal - Silver
Object type: Coins - Roman
Dimensions: 18mm (w)
Origin region or location: Italy
Origin city: Rome
Display case or on loan: 7
Keywords: Coin, denarius, Roman, Imperial, Otho, Securitas
Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London, Spink, 1923-1994) 8; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 2162; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 17; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 10; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 17, [Rome, Jan.-Feb., AD 69].
79.09
Denarius of Otho
3.28 g. AD 69 (Jan. – April)
Obv.: Head of Otho, bare, r. IMP(erator) M. OTHO CA[ESAR AVG(ustus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate)]
Rev.: Securitas, draped, standing l., holding wreath in right hand and sceptre in left hand. SECVRI[TAS] P(opuli) R(omani).
Minted at Rome.
M. Saluius Otho had been a governor in Spain and accompanied Galba to Rome in AD 68. He became disaffected, however, and when the Praetorian Guard murdered Galba in January AD 69 they proclaimed Otho emperor. Vitellius (governor in Germany) had already been declared emperor by his troops, and when their armies clashed in N. Italy in April AD 69 Otho’s army was defeated and he committed suicide.
His brief coinage is only in gold and silver and issued only from Rome. The lack of bronze coinage (usually issued under the authority of the senate, ‘senatus consulto’) is often taken to indicate the senate’s reluctance to give full approval to Otho’s reign.
The reverse here advertises the security of the Roman people, their freedom from danger, much longed-for in this year of civil wars.
Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London, Spink, 1923-1994) 8; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 2162; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 17; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 10; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 17, [Rome, Jan.-Feb., AD 69].