So a couple of weeks ago I was searching through that mecca of ancient coins...Etsy LOL I came across this coin for 25.00 CAD (roughly 20 USD). The seller advertised it as a denarius of Vespasian. Well I could tell from the photo that it was definitely not Vespasian. Okay, you can tell from the photo that the coin was likely hit by a shovel. It comes from an area of the world where detector finds are common. However, I still think the coin is worth 20 bucks. It also happens to feature a rarer PONT MAX reverse. By the way, it definitely silver. If you have any 20 dollar Othos please share them here. Just kidding, just show your damaged coins that you are grateful to own anyway.
Nice! I got this Otho AE in a group lot that worked out to be about $10-15 per coin - totally by luck as I didn't realize what I had until it was in hand. Ended up selling it for $100 because I already had a nicer one
Not very damage you think ? This coin made a very strange trip: first being chewed, soaking in a mixture of saliva and gastric acid, then a slow path through 10 feet of sticky gut, and finally the arrival in a pretty warm stinking substance...The coin is not mine anymore; I exchange it with a fellow collector, forgetting to tell him about its peculiar pedigree... Nice brownish patina
That Otho has barely survived the ages, but it has survived. Nice job spotting and rescuing it. Mine has a little damage too, but nothing that stops me from enjoying it.
Nice find - I love bargain-hunting stories like this. A bit more than $20, back in 2019 I found a $49.99 buy-it-now on eBay, for a coin I couldn't normally afford. It was described as an Augustus denarius. Banker's mark, wear, not lovely, but I am happy with it: Sextus Pompey Denarius (42-40 B.C.) Sicilian Mint MAG•PIVS•IMP•ITER• , head of Pompey Magnus r. between lituus and capis / Neptune left, holding aplustre, foot on prow, with Anapias & Amphinomus, parents on shoulders, [PRÆF] above, CLAS•ET•O[RÆ] / [M]ARIT•E[X• S•C•] (3.47 grams / 16 mm) Crawford 511/3a; Pompeia 27; Sydenham 1344; BMCRR (Sicily) 7; RSC 17 (Pompey the Great); Sear CRI 334.
I should probably stop doubting Etsy when it comes to coins. Needless to say, though, congratulations on your find, @Orfew; you should perhaps play your hand at the lottery with luck like that.
I have only bought 1 coin from Etsy. It was advertised as a follis of Severus II. The problem when I got it is that it turned out to be a quarter follis instead - of Siscia. So caveat emptor. Nice pick up @Orfew
How can you beat that Otho for $20? I paid more for this Vespasian! AR Denarius, Antioch mint, 72-73 AD O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. R: VICTORIA AVG; Victory stg. r., on globe, with wreath and palm -RIC 1547 (R2)
Here is my 18.25 USD horn silver infested super ugly Otho. I haven’t been able to get an upgrade so far. I got it as a bulk lot of 4 Denarii at 73 USD some 3 years back: the other three were a chipped Galba, a worn Nero, and an okay Vespasian.
here's one I sold that has a pretty clear legend Otho A.D. 69 Ӕ As 29mm 15.1gm IMP M OTHO CAE AVG; (counter-clockwise) laureate head right. S C surrounded by laurel wreath. Antioch, Syria mint McAlee 320c
There are plenty of bronze Othos. Here's one of my dad's. He gave it to me as a Nero. Once I'd got a clear ID on it Ihave him back his Otho:
This Otho is currently in my 12 Caesar bronze set, I'm not happy with it looking for a better one,Victor Clark' one is a beauty.
This story and @Orfew's kindness were continued in this post if anyone missed it: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-...to-die-engraver-is-my-wig-on-straight.377854/
A $20 Otho is nothing to laugh at. Amazing. I never did quite so well, but a $12 Vespasian is alright, despite the ugly wear.
