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Otho – 69 AD

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Otho

1 otho s

Emperor January 15th – April 16th, 69 AD
Born 32 – Died 69 AD, Age 37


Marcus Salvius Otho was a close personal friend of Nero. During Nero’s reign, Otho had been Governor of Lusitania. Nevertheless, Otho supported Galba early in his reign, hoping that Galba would adopt him as a successor to the throne. When Otho’s patience wore thin, he orchestrated both Galba’s and Piso’s assassinations. Otho also lacked broad support, particularly among the legions of Lower Germany under the command of Vitellius. Otho’s legions were merely garrison troops stationed throughout Italy’s northern provinces.

Despite advice to wait for additional loyal troops arriving from Dalmatia, Otho’s impatience prompted him to send his troops across the Po River into Bedriacum while Otho himself remained behind in Brixellum located on the southern bank. Vitellius‘ superior German legions were experienced battle troops who easily defeated the legions of Otho. With his legions and support lost, Otho committed suicide on April 17th, 69 A.D., after a reign of barely three months.


Monetary System

OTHO Aureus Denarius

 

 

 

Mints: Rome

Obverse Legend:

IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P

IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P


DENOMINATIONS

Otho AR Denarius RIC 10

AU Aureus
AR Denarius (head right)
AR Denarius (rare head left)


COLONIAL

Otho Syria AR Tetradrachm AE23 Antioch

SYRIA

AR Tetradrachm
Æ As

 

Otho AR Tetradrachm Egypt

EGYPT 

AR Tetradrachm
Æ Hemidrachm
Æ Diobol
Æ Obol
Æ Hemiobol


(COUNTERFEIT)

Otho Paduan R

Æ Sestertius by Giovanni Da Cavino 1500-1570
Æ Sestertius by Cavino 1500-1570 (Hd rt/Greeting troops)
Æ As by Cavina (Rev figure in the temple)

NOTE: There were no Sestertois issued by Otho


The Monetary History of the World
© Martin A. Armstrong