Denarius of Otho

The images of this Roman silver coin came in from Rob Warwick, together with a request for a valuation to pass on to the owner of the land on which it was found.

Rob’s find is a denarius of Otho, who was one of five emperors during the Civil War period, which started in AD 68 and eventually ended in AD 69. The first was Nero, the second Galba, the third Otho, the fourth Vitellius and the fifth Vespasian.

On the obverse is a bare head of the emperor facing right. The legend isn’t altogether clear but if the whole of it was visible then it would read IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P. On the reverse the standing figure of Pax faces left whilst holding an olive-branch and a caduceus. If the whole of the legend was visible it would read PAX ORBIS TERRARVM. In volume I of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values denarii of this type are listed as number 2156.

Valuation

This is a rare denarius bur its overall state of preservation isn’t good. There are scratches on both sides and the legends are incomplete due to a bad strike or circulation wear. The overall condition would put off most collectors but someone who simply wanted a rare denarius of Otho should be willing to pay £30-40 for this example.

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