Manlia Scantilla. Augusta, AD 193. AR Denarius (17mm, 2.89 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Didius Julianus. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 569. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Manlia Scantilla. Augusta, AD 193. AR Denarius (17mm, 2.89 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Didius Julianus. Draped bust right / Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet, peacock standing left. RIC IV 7a (Julianus); RSC 2. Some roughness, a couple of flan cracks. Near EF. Exceptional high-relief portrait.

Ex Eid Mar 7 (26 January 2025), lot 206.

Little is known for certain about Manlia Scantilla, the wife of the brief-reigning Didius Julianus. Her name suggests a connection to the prestigious Manlia gens. After securing the throne via the infamous “auction of empire” by the Praetorian Guard in March of AD 193, Didius Julianus granted the title of Augusta to both his wife Scantilla and their daughter, Didia Clara, a renowned beauty. Scantilla, in contrast is depicted as more mature and matronly.

Scantilla had little time to enjoy her new status as Augusta, since her husband reigned only 66 days. On 1 June AD 193, he was murdered in the palace by his own Praetorians upon the approach of Septimius Severus, whom the Senate proclaimed Augustus in his stead. Julianus was declared a usurper, although he had been approved, however reluctantly, by the Senate. Scantilla and Clara fared marginally better: they were spared but stripped of their titles and inheritance. Severus gave them the body of Julianus for burial in the family crypt. Scantilla reportedly died in obscurity only a month later. The coinage of Manlia Scantilla in all metals is accordingly quite scarce due to the brevity of the reign.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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