Otho, Silver Denarius, Securitas, Rome

Otho (AD 69), silver Denarius, Rome, IMP M OTHO AVG TR P, head right, rev. SECV-RI-TAS PR, Securitas standing, holding wreath and sceptre, 3.45g, 6h (RIC I, 8). Good very fine, rare.

The silver denarius of Otho, struck at Rome in 69 AD, was issued during one of the most turbulent periods in Roman imperial history. Otho became emperor following the overthrow and death of Galba in January 69 AD, making him the second emperor of what became known as the Year of the Four Emperors. His reign was extremely short, lasting only around three months, but his coinage provides an important record of this period of political instability.

Otho had previously been a close associate of the emperor Nero and had served as governor of Lusitania. After Galba adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir instead of Otho, Otho gained the support of the Praetorian Guard. On 15 January 69 AD, the Guard murdered Galba and proclaimed Otho emperor. His position, however, was immediately challenged by the armies of Vitellius, who had been proclaimed emperor by troops in Germania.

The reverse of this denarius depicts Securitas, the Roman personification of security and confidence, standing and holding a wreath and sceptre. The inscription SECVRITAS PR can be understood as referring to the security or confidence of the Roman people. The choice of Securitas was particularly significant during Otho's reign because the empire was experiencing civil war and uncertainty. By placing an image of security on his coinage, Otho presented an image of stability and legitimate authority despite the political circumstances surrounding his accession.

Otho eventually faced Vitellius's forces in northern Italy. After suffering defeat at the Battle of Bedriacum in April 69 AD, Otho chose to take his own life rather than prolong the civil war. His death brought his brief reign to an end, and Vitellius became emperor.

The obverse legend IMP M OTHO AVG TR P translates to "Emperor Marcus Otho Augustus, invested with Tribunician Power."

The reverse legend SECV-RI-TAS PR translates to "The Security of the Roman People."