Obverse:
Diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa
right. Text around MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG.
Reverse:
Pudicitia, personifying modesty and chastity,
veiled seated left drawing veil with right
hand and holding sceptre across left arm.
Text around PVDICITIA AVG.
History:
Octacilia (Marcia) Severa married Philip senior,
about A.D. 234, by whom she had Philip the
younger, seven years before the elevation
of her husband to the Imperial throne. She
was ambitious, and participated with Philip
in the murder of Gordian III. The princess
professed Christianity and it is with her
protection that the Christians breathed in
peace during the reign of her husband. After
Philip died her son was slain in her arms
by the Pretorians. Otacilia passed the remainder
of her days in retirement.
Date:
Rome mint, AD 245
Diameter:
1.7cm
