Didius Julianus Coins, 193 AD–193 AD

Marcus Didius Julianus was a wealthy senator who infamously purchased the throne at auction from the Praetorian Guard following Pertinax's murder. The Guard had literally offered the empire to the highest bidder on the Palatine; Julianus outbid his rival Sulpicianus by promising 25,000 sesterces per man. His purchase was met with popular outrage in Rome. He reigned only 66 days before the provincial armies acclaimed three rival emperors; Septimius Severus marched on Rome unopposed and Julianus was executed.

Didius Julianus is the paradigm case of the Praetorian Guard's corrupt power at its worst. His purchase of the throne directly prompted Septimius Severus to disband the existing Guard and replace it with Danubian veterans loyal to himself. Numismatically, his coins are extreme rarities; a genuine aureus is a major collection piece.

Key Events

28 March 193 AD Purchased the throne from the Praetorian Guard at auction following Pertinax's murder

193 AD Three rival claimants emerged simultaneously: Septimius Severus, Pescennius Niger, and Clodius Albinus

193 AD Severus marched on Rome; Praetorian Guard surrendered without a fight

1 June 193 AD Senate condemned Julianus; executed in his bath after 66 days as emperor

Coinage

The coinage of Didius Julianus is among the rarest of all Roman Imperial issues. Struck only at Rome during his 66-day reign, his aurei and denarii are genuine numismatic rarities. The reverse types project conventional imperial virtues (CONCORDIA MILITVM, RECTOR ORBIS) with no acknowledgment of the notorious circumstances of his accession.

Denominations

Aureus Denarius Sestertius

Notable Types

CONCORDIA MILITVM (Concord of the Armies)
RECTOR ORBIS (Ruler of the World), aspirational types
PM TRP COS types

Common Reverses

CONCORDIA MILITVM RECTOR ORBIS PM TR P COS

Active Mints

Rome

Didius Julianus Coins

Key Events

Coinage

Related Resources

Further Reading