Manlia Scantilla, Wife of Didius Julianus and Mother of Didia Clara Rare AR Denarius 193 AD Roman Empire Silver Coin Juno on Reverse Museum Reproduction CSRD0075

Rare Silver Roman Empire Denarius Manlia Scantilla, Rome mint, struck 193 A.D. References: RIC IV 7a (Julianus); RSC 2. Little is known of Manlia Scantilla, the wife of Didius Julianus. She was however at the centre of one of the most significant political events of the late second century, that of the ‘auction’ of the Roman Empire to the Praetorian Guard. Following the murder of Pertinax, the Guard declared that the throne would be sold to the individual that offered the highest price. Didius offered 25,000 Sestertii to each soldier and his ‘bid’ was accepted. Scantilla received the title of Augusta when Didius Julianus became emperor but this was removed after several weeks following his murder and the accession of Septimius Severus to the Imperial throne.