Tetradrachm Portraying Emperor Otho
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
69, issued by the city of Antioch
This ancient silver tetradrachm was minted in 69 by the city of Antioch, located in present-day Turkey. Measuring 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in.) in diameter, the coin is Roman and was struck using carved bronze dies.
The obverse side depicts the laureate head of Emperor Otho facing right, showing his curled hair and double chin. Surrounding the portrait is the Greek inscription "ΑYTOKPATωP MAPKOC OΘωN KAICAP CεBACTOC". The reverse displays an eagle standing to the left on a laurel branch with wings spread and a wreath held in its beak. A palm branch appears to the left of the bird, and below is the inscription "εTOVC A". Both faces feature relief imagery set within roughly circular fields of silver.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The suicide of Roman emperor Nero in 68 prompted a chaotic struggle for imperial succession. The year 69 witnessed rapid successions and deaths of rival generals: Galba (June 68–January 69), Otho (January–April 69), Vitellius (April–December 69), and Vespasian (69–79), who established the Flavian dynasty. Coins of these four rulers depicted realistic personal features, with Otho portrayed with characteristic curled hair and a double chin.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in.)
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Obverse: ΑYTOKPATωP MAPKOC OΘωN KAICAP CεBACTOC Reverse: εTOVC A (below)
- Maker recorded
- Roman, minted in Antioch (in present-day Turkey)
- Place recorded
- Antioch
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Art Institute of Chicago collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Otho
- Museum object number
- 1922.4929
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.