Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Otho AR Denarius. Rome, AD 69. IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head right / SECVRITAS P R, Securitas standing left, holding wreath and sceptre. RIC 10; BMCRE 19; RSC 15; BN 7. 3.43g, 19mm, 1h.
Mint State; ultra-sharp portrait detail with mirror-lustre under light cabinet tone.
From the G.T. Collection of the Twelve Caesars;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VII, 12 January 2004, lot 881.
It is well known that the emperor Otho regularly wore a wig to hide his hair loss, a fact that can be clearly seen on this coin. The abrupt transition from hairline to face along with the regular, pattern-like waves makes it clear to the viewer that the portrait subject is bewigged. There was more to Otho's decision to don this item than to merely appear distinguished; the association of hair loss with lack of virility and inviting derision is well documented in Suetonius when discussing Julius Caesar's baldness. Gleason (1990) expands further on this evidence suggesting that hair loss may also have been considered to lead to 'dangerous effeminization', a quality not desirable in a Roman Emperor.
Mint State; ultra-sharp portrait detail with mirror-lustre under light cabinet tone.
From the G.T. Collection of the Twelve Caesars;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VII, 12 January 2004, lot 881.
It is well known that the emperor Otho regularly wore a wig to hide his hair loss, a fact that can be clearly seen on this coin. The abrupt transition from hairline to face along with the regular, pattern-like waves makes it clear to the viewer that the portrait subject is bewigged. There was more to Otho's decision to don this item than to merely appear distinguished; the association of hair loss with lack of virility and inviting derision is well documented in Suetonius when discussing Julius Caesar's baldness. Gleason (1990) expands further on this evidence suggesting that hair loss may also have been considered to lead to 'dangerous effeminization', a quality not desirable in a Roman Emperor.