Roman
Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Empress Marcia Otacilia Severa
INV-5709
Roman248, issued by Emperor Philip the Arab
Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Empress Marcia Otacilia Severa
Roman →roman (ancient, style or period)ancientcoinancient art
Date
248, issued by Emperor Philip the Arab
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.3 cm (15/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
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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