Roman Denarius Coin

Inv. No.: c070
Date: A.D. 69.
Weight: 3.07g
 
Obv.: Otho, bareheaded, draped.
IMP.OTHO CA[ESAR] AVG.TR.P.

Rev.: Securitas standing, draped, wreath in right hand, sceptre in left hand.
SECV[RI]TAS P.R.

Otho came to the throne with the assistance of the Praetorian Guard, who, at his instigation, murdered his predecessor Galba. Beaten by Vitellius at Bedriacum, he suicided on 16 April, 69.

C.H.V. Sutherland describes the obverse portrait as eat, well-finished, and ivilis??unwreathed and citizen-like.?(Roman Coins, p. 175)

In a time of notorious political instability, the reverse provides a striking example of wishful thinking.

All of Otho surviving coins are of gold or silver and minted at Rome. In short, for whatever reason, the Senate minted no brass coins in his name. Indeed, the Senate never, by any formal act, acknowledged Otho authority at Rome.

as it that Otho refrained from vexing the Senate with a duty that it detested? It was an irritation that might at least be postponed.?(H. Mattingly, Roman Coins, 3rd edn, p. 110)

See also "A Forged Otho Sestertius".

Comparanda:
RIC, Otho 12.