About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays a bust of Otacilia Severa diademed and facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts a hippopotomus to the right.
This coin was issued to commemorate the Roman Millennium. The lavish birthday celebration featured one thousand gladiators who fought to the death and thousands of exotic animals like this hippopotamus, native to Egypt. Supplying the Romans with African animals for the games was a flourishing business.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Roman
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Title
- Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Empress Marcia Otacilia Severa
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Place
- Rome (Minted in)
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Date
- 248 CE
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Medium
- Silver
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Inscriptions
- Obverse: OTACIL SEVERA AVG Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG IIII
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Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.3 cm (15/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
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Reference Number
- 1922.4898
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/5709/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.