Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 171. Estimate CHF2500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF4200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Didius Julianus. AD 193. Denarius (Silver, 3.10 g 6), Rome, 28 March-May/June 193. IMP CAES M DID IVLIAN AVG Laureate and bearded head of Didius Julianus to right. Rev. CONCORD MILIT Concordia standing facing, her head turned to left, holding a legionary eagle in her right hand and a vexillum in her left. BMC 2. C 2 (corr.). RIC 1. Lightly toned and with a very noble potrait. Nearly extremely fine.

Didius Julianus was responsible for one of the most disgraceful scenes in Roman history, when he emerged as the high bidder for the empire after the Praetorians auctioned it off. This action led to such fury that three generals raised the standard of revolt and claimed the empire. Septimius Severus moved fastest and was able to destroy Didius Julianus after little more than 2 months of rule.