128
3126
Otho. Silver Denarius (3.59 g), AD 69.
Rome. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head of
Otho right.
Reverse:
SECV-RI-TAS P R, Securitas standing facing, head left, holding wreath and scep-
ter. RIC 8; BMC 18; RSC 17. Well struck in high relief and perfectly centered. Beautiful electric blue
iridescense about the obverse borders.
Extremely Fine.
Otho, of Etrurian stock, had been one of the most reckless and miscreant nobles in Ne-
ro’s court. In AD 58, Otho’s wife, the beautiful Poppaea Sabina, began a secret affair with
the emperor and soon divorced Otho. At her insistence, Nero sent Otho far away, mak-
ing him governor of the remote province of Lusitania. He remained there as governor for the
next ten years, and Suetonius records his rule there as one of well-administered moderation.
In AD 68, Galba, the governor of the neighboring province of Hispania Tarraconensis, re-
volted against Nero, and Otho joined him in his march on Rome. Otho perhaps thought that
by his support he would be named as successor by the aged and childless Galba, if Galba
were successful in overthrowing Nero, but in this he was to be disappointed. Once Galba had
become emperor, he formerly adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir. With his
hopes of peaceful succession now dashed, Otho boldly approached the Praetorian camp
and bribed a few guardsmen, who were already aggrieved by Galba’s refusal to pay the
promised money for their support in his overthrow of Nero. They quickly found the emperor,
who was making his way to the camp because of rumors of treachery, and brutally murdered
him and Piso. They then declared for Otho, the Senate affirming the decision shortly afterward.
Despite his reckless youth, Otho’s short reign showed signs of equitable administration, em-
ulating his former career in Lusitania. However, he never enjoyed the opportunity of ful-
ly establishing this benevolent rule for as soon as he was in power he faced the formida-
ble revolt of Vitellius and the Rhine legions. While at first he showed remarkable energy in
mustering an opposition to the revolt, after his forces were soundly defeated at the Battle of Bed-
riacum he committed suicide, preferring to spare his soldiers and the empire further bloodshed.
Estimated Value................................................................................................................. $9,000 - 10,000
