Æ 27 - Geta ALEXAN-DR-OC AN-EO; OTPONW
| Bronze | 9.55 g | 27 mm |
| Issuer | Otrus (Conventus of Apamea) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Geta (Publius Septimius Geta) (209-211) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 193-209 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 9.55 g |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#429353 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Otreus embarking on prow of ship to left, right arm raised, head turned back, holding spear in left hand.
Script: Greek
Lettering:
ALEXAN-DR-OC A-NEQHALEXAN-DR-OC AN-EO
OTPONW
Comment
Otrus was one of the five cities of the Eucarpic plain and may have been named Otrus after an emigration from Otroea in Bythinia, which according to Strabo (XII, 566) was founded by Otreus, the king of Phrygia of the time of the Trojan War. The passage about this famous warrior, whom Priam helped fight against the Amazons in a battle on the river Sangarius, in the Iliad (III) is brief but very descriptive: "... When I was in Phrygia I saw many horsemen, the people of Otreus and of Mygdon, who were camping upon the banks of the river Sangarius; I was their ally, and with them when the Amazons, peers of men, came up against them, but even they were not so many as the Achaeans."
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of the Roman Emperor Geta, who ruled alongside his father Septimius Severus and his brother Caracalla. Geta was known for his diplomatic skills and was instrumental in negotiating peace treaties with the Parthian Empire. Despite his achievements, Geta's reign was cut short when he was assassinated by his brother Caracalla in 212 AD. This coin, minted during Geta's lifetime, serves as a reminder of his brief but significant reign.