Lot 2257

Description

Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I, (A.D. 244-249), silver antoninianus, issued 248, Rome mint, (the millenial issue), obv. diademed and draped bust to right of Otacilia Severa, on crescent, around OTACIL SEVERA AVG, rev. hippopotamus standing to right, around SAECVLARES AVGG, in exergue IIII, (RIC 116b, C.63, S.2633). Large flan with dark tone, good very fine and scarce.

This is the only antoninianus type used on the coinage of Otacilia to celebrate the Secular Games on the occasion of Rome's millennium. The numeral IIII in the exergue indicates that the coin was produced by the fourth workshop (officina) of the Rome mint, which also struck coins in the name of Philip I. The hippopotamus was one of the exotic beasts exhibited in the arena on this occasion.