AR Denarius, A.D. 69, Rome, 18mm, 2.90g, 180°, RIC I 8, rare.
Obv: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P. Bare head right.
Rev: SECURITAS P R. Securitas standing left, holding wreath and scepter.
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Marcus Salvius Otho Caesar Augustus was Roman Emperor for three months, from 15 January to 16 April 69. He was the second emperor of the "Year of the Four Emperors". Otho first appears as one of the most reckless and extravagant of the young nobles who surrounded Nero. Otho introduced his beautiful wife Poppaea Sabina to the Emperor upon her insistence, who then began an affair. After securely establishing this position as his mistress, she divorced Otho and had the Emperor send him away to the remote province of Lusitania in modern Portugal.

When in 68 Galba, rose in revolt, Otho accompanied him to Rome. Galba was childless and far advanced in years, and Otho aspired to succeed him. In January 69, his hopes were dashed by Galba's formal adoption of Licinianus. Perhaps encouraged by widespread disapproval of Galba, Otho decided to strike a bold blow. He purchased the services of some twenty-three soldiers of the disaffected Praetorian Guard and on the morning of January 15 he was saluted as Imperator. With an imposing force he returned to the Roman Forum, andl encountered Galba, where he and his newly adopted heir were brutally murdered by the Praetorians. Otho returned in triumph to the camp, and on the same day was duly invested by the senators with the name of Augustus.

Otho learned that another revolt had been rising in Germania and that Vitellius was marching upon Italy. Otho immediately led a force to stop Vitellius. Otho himself camped with a large reserve force at Brixillum while a second force went ahead toward Cremonia where they were taken by surprise and forced to retreat. Though Otho was still in command of a sizable army, this setback caused him to accept defeat. In a dignified speech he bade farewell to those about him, declaring: "It is far more just to perish one for all, than many for one", and then retiring to rest soundly for some hours. Early in the morning he stabbed himself in the heart with a dagger, which he had concealed under his pillow. Otho's ashes were placed within a modest monument. He had reigned only three months, but had shown more wisdom and grace than anyone had expected.