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Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus
"Securitas Populi Romani" Marcus Salvius Otho was one of the most reckless and extravagant young nobles in Nero's entourage. Their friendship ended in 58 AD when Otho's beautiful wife, Poppaea Sabina, became Nero's mistress. She divorced Otho and persuaded Nero to send him as governor to the distant province of Lusitania. In 68 AD, when the future emperor Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, rebelled against Nero, Otho joined him on the march to Rome. Disappointed by Galba's choice of Piso as his successor, Otho conspired with the Praetorians, who proclaimed him emperor, leading to Galba's death.
The reverse of the coin depicts Securitas, the personification of safety and confidence, with the legend: "The security of the Roman people".
Denomination: Denarius, Ag
Obverse: Bare head of Otho to right, IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P
Reverse: Securitas standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and scepter in her left, SECVRITAS P R
Mint: Rome, 69 A.D.
Weight: 3,16 g
Diameter: 19,5mm
Provenance: private collector
Reference : 7.1 RIC I 10, RSC 15
Collection : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 01 - Julio-Claudian