In what was to become one of the most shameful episodes in the political annals of the empire, the death of Pertinax launched a frantic search for an imperial replacement. The imperial guard, who held de facto power, decided to "right the wrongs" of Pertinax in a most self-serving manner: by auctioning off the throne! Two of Rome 's richest Senators, Didius Julianus and Sulpicianus bid back and forth the donative to be given to each soldier until the sum of about 25,000 Sestertii was reached by Julianus. He was at this point declared the winner amid a joyous uproar. A joyous uproar, of course, by the soldiers who managed such a princely sum for themselves. The rest of Rome cowered in angst at what fate may bring them in the near future. Gibbon, the famous Roman historian of the eighteenth century, called it the "most insolent excess of military licence" and recalls that after the initial festivities of the day were over Julianus "...passed a sleepless night; revolving most probably in his mind his own rash folly, the fate of his virtuous predecessor, and the doubtful and dangerous tenure of an empire, which had not been acquired by merit, but purchased by money."  

And if he did worry he had ample reason to: as soon as news of this travesty reached the various legions scattered about the empire generals were driven to condemn the new emperor and set out to seek the position for themselves, backed by their veteran legions. Septimius Severus, the first to reach the capital, quickly deposed and executed Julianus and then went on to defeat the other rival contenders in a bloody and prolonged civil war. 

 

With only two months in power, Rome 's mint officials barely had enough time to get new dies ready before the order came to throw them all away and start working on ones for Septimius Severus. 

 

But there are a few coins left of this emperor, even gold ones, and all are highly prized by collectors. How prized? A collectable Denarius will cost a couple thousand dollars or thereabouts. Bronze denominations have more variance because of the wider states of preservation but even a very low grade coin will still be several hundred dollars as long as it can be positively attributed to his reign.  

 

1) Laureate head right 

2) Laureate bust right 

3) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right 

4) Radiate head right 

 

 

1) IMP CAES M DID IVLIAN AVG 

2) IMP CAES M DID IVLIAN SEVER AVG 

3) IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG 

 

 

1) CONCORD MILIT 

2) PM TR P COS 

3) RECTOR ORBIS 

4) SECVRITAS PR  

 

 

1) Concordia standing, facing, holding legionary eagle and standard 

2) Didius Julianus seated left, holding globe. 

3) Didius Julianus standing left, holding globe and scroll. 

4) Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopia 

5) Securitas standing left, holding wreath and scepter. 

 

 

1) Roma 

 

 

 

1) B1, O1, R2, T4 RIC IVi 2, BMC 4, C 8 

2) B3, O1, R3, T3 RIC IVi 3, C 14 

3) B3, O3, R1, T1 RIC IVi 5, BMC 9, C 1 

 

 

4) B1, O1, R1, T1 RIC IVi 1, C 2 

5) B1, O1, R2, T4 RIC IVi 2 

6) B1, O1, R3, T3 RIC IVi 3, C 15 

 

7) B1, O3, R1, T1 RIC IVi 14, C 3 

8) B1, O3, R3, T3 RIC IVi 16, C 17 

 

AE Dupondius Reference(s) 

 

9) B4, O1, R2, T4 RIC IVi 12, C 13