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Roman Empire. Didius Julianus. Aureus 193, AV 6.66g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:64,000.00 CHF Estimated At:80,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Didius Julianus. Aureus 193, AV 6.66g.
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The Roman Empire. Didius Julianus, March 28th–early June 193. Aureus March 28th-end of May 193, AV 6.66g. IMP CAES M DID SEVE–R IVLIAN AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. CONCO–R–D–MILIT Concordia standing facing, head l., holding legionary eagle and standard. C 1. BMC 9. RIC 5. Woodward, NC 1961, 1 (these dies). Calicó 2394. Very rare and in exceptional condition for this issue. A beautiful portrait in the finest style of the period. Well struck in high relief and good extremely fine. In the confusion that followed the assassination of Pertinax, the praetorian guard held a scandalous spectacle: an auction for the emperorship. There was spirited bidding between Flavius Sulpicianus, the father-in-law of the murdered Pertinax, and the senator Didius Julianus, one of the wealthiest men in Rome. When Julianus pledged an accession bonus of 25,000 sestertii per guard, it was a bid that Sulpicianus could not top. The praetorians led Julianus before the terrified Senate, which had no choice but to ratify the coup d’etat. The people of Rome, however, were disgusted by this shameful turn of events and sent messengers to seek help from the commanders of the legions in the provinces. Three generals responded and marched on Rome. Septimius Severus, being the closest to Rome, had the upper hand. The praetorians were no match for the battle hardened soldiers from the frontier, and they quickly decided in favour of Severus. Didius Julianus was not so fortunate, as he was captured at the beginning of June and beheaded in the manner of a common criminal.