Otho, Denarius, 69
Rome - Silver - NGC - AU★ 5/5-5/5 - RIC:10
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Bare head of Otho, right.
Securitas, draped, standing left, holding wreath in right hand and sceptre in left hand.
Graded NGC AU★ Strike : 5/5 Surface : 5/5. The reign of Otto was short - barely three months - and only gold and silver coins were minted. His coinage was therefore rare and sought-after. Our example is in superb condition, still freshly minted and featuring a remarkable portrait! This denarius is all the more beautiful for its magnificent cabinet patina! Otto became Roman emperor in January 69 after assassinating his predecessor Galba. Along with Vitellius and Vespasian, he was part of the so-called “Year of the Four Emperors”. This was a short period of civil war following Nero's suicide, during which three emperors succeeded one another. The fourth one, Vespasian, closed this period of instability by installing the Flavian dynasty. The first emperor, Galba, overthrew Nero with the support of Otto, whom he eventually betrayed by adopting Piso. Otho had them both assassinated and became emperor. Initially very close to Nero, their relationship deteriorated. One of the main reasons for this was Poppea, first Otho's wife, then Nero's second wife by 63. Despite his accession to the title of emperor, he was contested in some parts of the Empire, who preferred Vitellius. Vitellius became emperor following his predecessor's suicide shortly after his defeat at Bedriacum.
IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P
SECVRITAS P R
3.64 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
