Mine is a treasured gift from my grandmother, whom I remember so very fondly. It's my favourite obverse die for Otho:
Obviously your grandmother was a lady of impecable numismatics tastes. That coin has tons of eye appeal.
Congrats, @ominus1! The coin has a minor flaw or two, but an Otho is an Otho, isn't it? The portrait is great and the reverse one of the more interesting ones for him. Score! Here's my 'problem' Otho, which I really love despite and because... Now, as for the problem...
Thanks, guys! I think it was more that she was a good judge of dealers. Robert Kokotailo of Calgary Coin picked it out for her many (nearly 30? OMG!) years ago.
Idle hands? I haven't looked into it deeply, but I've had a few people suggest the markings may have been made when the coin was used as jewelry some time in the past.
..haha...devil's workshop..those lines remind me of modern US coin edges kinda..interesting markings, whatever made them..
Congrats Otho Billon Tetradrachm of Alexandria . YEAR 1 C. 69 AD 13.44g 25mm obv. Otho laureate head right, LA before / rev. bust of Alexandria right in elephant skin headdress. RPC 5358. Dattari 324 Grey tone with good metal and detail. SCARCE Ex John Casey Collection
Acquiring an Otho is always something special. Congrats @ominus1 Otho, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 69 IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, Bare head of Otho right SECURITAS PR, Securitas standing left 3.50 gr Ref : RIC # 8, RCV #2162, Cohen #17 Q