ANCIENT ROMAN PROVINCIAL BRONZE – EMPEROR OTHO – SYRIA – AD 69
Offered for sale is a genuine-style ancient Roman Provincial bronze coin attributed to Emperor Otho, issued in Syria during AD 69.
Otho’s coinage is highly sought after by Roman collectors because his reign lasted only approximately three months during the famous Year of the Four Emperors.
COIN DETAILS
* Ruler: Emperor Otho
* Reign: AD 69
* Region: Syria
* Coinage: Roman Provincial
* Metal: AE / Bronze
* Diameter: Approximately 28 mm
* Weight: 15.68 grams
* Reference: RPC I 4318
* Obverse: Imperial portrait of Otho facing right
* Reverse: Large S C within wreath
* Certification: Raw / Uncertified
CONDITION
This is an ancient circulated bronze coin showing substantial age-related wear and surface characteristics consistent with an approximately 1,950-year-old coin.
The reverse is particularly attractive for the grade, retaining a bold and readily identifiable S C, with much of the surrounding wreath still visible.
The obverse retains a recognizable portrait of Otho, although the portrait and surrounding legends show considerable circulation wear.
The coin displays dark natural-looking ancient surfaces with areas of brown/green patination, deposits, oxidation, roughness and edge irregularities.
From the photographs, I would conservatively describe the coin as approximately Fine (F) overall, with the reverse presenting more strongly than the obverse. This is a seller’s opinion only and not a third-party grade.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Marcus Salvius Otho became Roman emperor in January AD 69, following the downfall of Galba.
His reign lasted only about three months. After his forces were defeated by those supporting Vitellius, Otho took his own life in April AD 69 rather than prolong the Roman civil war.
His extremely short reign makes surviving Otho coinage an important addition to collections focusing on the Roman emperors, Roman Provincial coinage, or the Year of the Four Emperors (Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.
Please carefully review all photographs because they are an important part of the description and provide the best representation of the coin’s actual condition.
This coin is being offered raw and uncertified. Attribution is based upon the accompanying collector information and visible characteristics. It has not been authenticated or graded by NGC, PCGS or another third-party grading service.
Ancient coins can exhibit variations in strike, centering, surfaces, patina, deposits, wear and flan shape.
A historically significant Otho bronze from one of the shortest and most turbulent reigns of the Roman Empire.