Manlia Scantilla, Silver Denarius, Ch XF, 4/5, 5/5

Manlia Scantilla (wife of Didius Julianus and mother of Didia Clara), Silver Denarius. Mint of Rome, struck A.D. 193. MANL SCAN-TILLA AVG, draped bust facing right, rev. IVNO REGINA, Juno standing left, holding a patera and a sceptre, a peacock stands on left, 3.46g., 6h (RIC 7a; C 2). An excellent portrait, well-struck on good metal, with a beautiful old cabinet tone and a superb old provenance to some of the finest collections of the early 20^th century, a tiny insignificant metal-flaw on cheek, good very fine to nearly extremely fine and very rare. Graded NGC Choice XF, strike 4/5, surface 5/5

Provenance:

Ex F. Imhoof-Blumer Collection, Hirsch Auction XVIII, 27 May 1907, lot 1053

Ex L. Vierordt Collection, J. Schulman 5 March 1923, lot 1790
Ex Laughlin Collection

Ex V.J.E. Ryan Collection, Glendining's, 2 April 1952, lot 2206

Ex Leu Numismatik, Auction 54, 28 April 1992, lot 265

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.