Ancient Rome - 69 CE Otho AV Aureus NGC Choice VF

Gold aurei of Otho are treasured rarities, considered to be the “key” coin in a set of the Twelve Caesars.

A stunning piece with exceptional strike (5/5) that should be considered among the finest of this extremely rare issue. Adding to its attractiveness is that it is virtually perfectly centered on both sides. Please review the images of this dramatic offering from AUCM. Then imagine possessing it, being able to call it your own.

Rome Mint, AD 69. Otho AV Aureus. 7.18g. NGC Choice VF. Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5. Obverse: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P with bare head of Otho (bewigged) facing to right. Reverse: SECVRI – TAS P R with Securitas standing facing out, head to left, with wreath in her outstretched right hand, while she cradles a scepter in her left arm. Sources: RIC 1 7. Calico 531a.

Portrait of Otho, Louvre, Paris. Photo: Wikipedia.

Otho was Emperor of Rome for three short months (15 January to 16 April 69). He was the second emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors. Otho was a reckless and young noble who befriended Nero. The friendship between the two men ended in 58 AD because of Otho's beautiful wife, Poppaea Sabina. Upon his wife's persistence, Otho introduced her to Nero. She then began having an affair with the emperor, divorcing Otho after becoming established as Nero's mistress.

She then had the emperor send Otho away to be the governor of Lusitania, a remote province that today is part of Portugal and Extramadura, Spain. He remained there for ten years. It was in 68 AD that a neighbor, the future emperor Galba, who was then governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, rebelled against Nero. Otho accompanied him to Rome, and Galba overthrew the emperor.

Otho then overthrew Galba. He had bought the services of 23 soldiers of the Praetorian Guard, and gathered up an imposing force from among the Guard and went to the Roman Forum, where he encountered Galba and others. Galba's cohort of 500 men, upon seeing Otho and his forces, abandoned Galba, who was then brutally killed along with others.

However, Emperor Otho had trouble brewing in the German provinces. A revolution was taking place and several legions supported Vitellius, who commanded the legions of the lower Rhine River. They were advancing upon Italy. Seeing clearly that he would lose to Vitellius and his armies, Otho gave a speech in which he bade farewell to his compatriots, saying, "It is far more just to perish one for all, than many for one." He then went to sleep and in the morning stabbed himself in the heart with a dagger that had been hidden under his pillow.