1. Biography
Marcus Salvius Otho, born 32 AD, was a close friend of Nero until the latter appointed Otho to governor of Lusitania just to get him away from Rome to marry his wife. Otho supported Galba's revolt in the hope to be appointed to heir of the throne, but when Galba adopted Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus, Otho plotted against the emperor and had him killed by the praetorians on January 15th 69 AD. Afterwards, the soldiers made him emperor, but he was soon defeated by Aulus Vitellius, who had been proclaimed emperor in January 69 AD by the Northern legions. After the defeat at Betriacum on April 14, 69 AD, Otho fled and committed suicide. He was buried in Brixellum and suffered from a damnatio memoriae proclaimed by Vitellius.
2. Coinage
2.1. Some general notes
Otho only issued Aurei (7.15-7.30 g) and Denarii (3.25-3.50 g). No bronze coins are known to exist. The only mint that ar work for Otho was Rome, it struck coins between January and April 69 AD.
2.2. Portrait
The portrait of Otho, especially compared to that of Galba, is rather young, a bit corpulent and wears a wig.
Different portraits of Otho.
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Denarius |
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2.3. The Types
Few coin types are known to have been issued by Otho; all of them are rare. The reverse types inter alia praise the VICTORIA OTHONIS or the PAX ORBIS TERRARVM.
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The Denarius shown to right portrays Otho with his wig to right and the legend IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, the reverse celebrates the SECVRITAS P F, the security of the Roman people.
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2.4. Coins
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