I finally pulled the trigger, adding an empress who had heretofore been out of my grasp: Manlia Scantilla, wife of Didius Julianus, Augusta, AD 193 Roman Æ Sestertius; 29mm, 22.62 g, 12:00 Rome mint, AD 193 Obv: MANLIA SCANTILLA AVG, draped bust right Rev: IVNO REGINA SC, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; to left, peacock at feet, standing left, head turned up Refs: RIC 18a; BMCRE 36; Cohen 6; RCV 6083; Woodward, Didius, dies 6/- (unlisted rev. die); Banti 2. Notes: The upper portion of the reverse perfectly matches the reverse of BMCRE 36 (pl. 4, 5), which was struck with Woodward rev. die E. It is possible that the same die was used for both coins, but was re-engraved before this coin was struck. This will be a fine companion to this one: Didia Clara, daughter of Didius Julianus and Manlia Scantilla, Augusta, AD 193 Roman Æ Sestertius; 30.5 mm, 21.16 gm Rome, AD 193 Obv: DIDIA CLARA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust right Rev: HILARITAS SC, Hilaritas standing, head left, holding palm branch and cornucopiae Refs: RIC 20; BMCRE 38; RCV 6087.
Really nice RC, they make a great pair. I passed up buying a nice Didia Clara a while back and have regretted it since. I don't have any of the ladies to share but this Didius is one of my finest portraits.
Congrats @Roman Collector !! Those are wonderful examples of the type...and highly scarce. I lack either (let alone a Didius Julianus specimen) but I'm trying to snag a budget example of them---hopefully one day.....
very nice @Roman Collector !!! Two Empresses on my target list! I only have a Didius Julianus... RI Didius Julianus 193 CE - 9 weeks - AE Sestertius And, as a representative from the Roman REPUBLIC... How about another Didius? RR AR denarius 3.8g 18.0mm T Didius Rome 113-112 BCE Roma star ROMA mono - Two Gladiators whip sword Sear 171 Craw 294/1
Coin arrived in the mail. I've photographed it in natural light, but very overcast today and I'm not completely happy with it. I've rephotographed the Didia Clara, too but in bright sunshine.
