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Otacilia Severa

Marcia Otacilia Severa was the wife of Philip I, Roman emperor from 244-249. She came from a family of senators and consuls. Her father had been governor of Macedonia and Moesia. Her brother Severianus was appointed governor of Moesia Inferior bij Philip in 246. She married Philip about 234 and had two children with him, a son also called Philip and a daughter called Severina. Some scholars see in Philip and Severina the first Christian imperial couple. During the reign of Philip the Christians were not persecuted and bishop Babylas of Antioch was saved from persecutian by interference of Severina. When her husband died in the battle against the usurper Decius she saught refuge in the camp of the Praetorian guard in Rome. The praetorians however chose the side of Decius and murdered her young son Philip who supposedly died in her arms. She supposed to have been spared but disapeared from history.




The coins of Otacilia Severa from Viminacium


Denominations struck: sestertius

The sestertii of Herennia Etruscilla have a portrait of her wearing a diadem in her hair.

Used notations of the local year:

AN VI, used from july 245 until 246.
AN VIII, used from july 247 until july 248.

Obverse text variations used:

A: MARCIA OTACIL - IA SEVERA AVG
B: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG
C: M OTACIL SEVERA AVG
D: MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVG

Reverse text variations used:

a: PMSC - OLVIM


AN VI
Sestertius ANNO VI - 244/245 - Martin 2.19.1 - Varbanov 145
Weight: 18,03 grams
Diameter: 29 mm

Obverse: Bust of Otacilia Severa to the right with diadem in her hair wich brakes the obverse legend, a part of her dress is visible over her brest and shoulders.

Text: (A:) MARCIA OTACIL - IA SEVERA AVG (MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVGVSTA) - Marcia Otacilia Severa Augusta.

Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion.

Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia superior colony Viminacium.

Exergue: AN VI (ANNO VI) - year 6 (244/245).
Sestertius ANNO VI - 244/245 - Pick 110 - Martin 2.19.1 var. - Varbanov - (Verg. 145)
Weight: 17,20 grams
Diameter: 28 mm

Obverse: Bust of Otacilia Severa to the right with diadem in her hair, the diadem does not brake the obverse legend this time. A part of her dress is visible over her brest and shoulders.

Text: (B:) MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG (MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVGVSTA) - Marcia Otacilia Severa Augusta.

Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion.

Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia superior colony Viminacium.

Exergue: AN VI (ANNO VI) - year 6 (244/245).
Sestertius ANNO VI - 244/245 - Pick 110 var. - Martin 2.19.1 var. - Varbanov - (Verg. 145)
Weight: 20,25 grams
Diameter: 31 mm

Obverse: Bust of Otacilia Severa to the right with diadem in her hair, the diadem does not brake the obverse legend. A part of her dress is visible over her brest and shoulders.

Text: (B:) MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG (MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVGVSTA) - Marcia Otacilia Severa Augusta.

Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion.

Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia superior colony Viminacium.

Exergue: AN VI (ANNO VI) - year 6 (244/245).

Remark: Otacilias dress is draped different on this coin.

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AN VIII
Sestertius ANNO VIII - 246/247 - Pick 112 var. - Martin 2.21.3 - Varbanov - (Verg. 147)
Weight: 19,14 grams
Diameter: 29 mm

Obverse: Bust of Otacilia Severa to the right with diadem in her hair, the diadem does not brake the obverse legend. A part of her dress is visible over her brest and shoulders.

Text: (C:) M OTACIL SEVERA AVG (MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVGVSTA) - Marcia Otacilia Severa Augusta.

Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion.

Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia superior colony Viminacium.

Exergue: AN VIII (ANNO VIII) - year 8 (246/247).
Sestertius ANNO VIII - 246/247 - Pick 112 - Martin 2.21.1 - Varbanov 147
Private collection

Weight: 18,83 grams
Diameter: mm

Obverse: Bust of Otacilia Severa to the right with diadem in her hair, the diadem does NOT brake the obverse legend. A part of her dress is visible over her brest and shoulders.

Text: (D:) MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVG (MARCIA OTACILIA SEVERA AVGVSTA) - Marcia Otacilia Severa Augusta.

Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion.

Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia superior colony Viminacium.

Exergue: AN VIII (ANNO VIII) - year 8 (246/247).

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