Description
Marcus Salvius Otho, Roman Emperor and second of the Year of the Four Emperors 15th January – 16th April 69 AD, Silver Denarius (3.37g, 18mm), Rome mint January – February 69 AD. Obverse: Bare head of Otho facing to the right, legend surrounds, “IMP M OTHO [CAESA]R AVG TR P”. Reverse: Securitas stands facing to the left, holding wreath aloft in right hand and sceptre in left, legend surrounds, “SECVRITAS P R”. Sear-2163; RIC-10; RSC-15. Obverse struck a tough off-centre, and slightly rough in reverse field due to rusty dies; otherwise well struck with deep cabinet toning – great detail in Otho’s portrait, Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Imperator Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus, Tribunicia Potestas”, translating to “Imperator Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus, invested with Tribunician power”. The reverse Latin legend reads “Securitas Populi Romani”, translating to “security or safety of the Roman People” – Securitas, the deity or personification of security (particularly of the Roman Empire itself), is portrayed holding a laurel wreath, a symbol that encompasses many concepts including peace. The representation of Securitas was certainly a political message – the claim that Otho’s reign would bring peace was a necessary attempt to placate the current socio-political volatility created by the many events of 68-69 AD: Nero’s fleeing of Rome, his trial and eventual suicide, the seizing of imperial power by Servius Galba and his eventual murder by Otho and the Praetorian Guard, and the now rise of Aulus Vitellius as Emperor in Germania in opposition. Despite the attempt, peace would not be achieved as the two men would clash in civil war – following his loss at the Battle of Bedriacum Otho would try to put an end to the anarchy and committed suicide, possibly in an act of bittersweet honour.