Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Didia Clara AV Aureus. Struck under Didius Julianus, Rome, April-May AD 193. DIDIA CLARA AVG, draped bust right / HILAR TEMPOR, Hilaritas standing left, holding palm branch in right hand and cornucopiae in left. C. 2; BMC 13; RIC 10; Calicó 2402. 6.56g, 19mm, 6h.
Very Fine. Scattered marks and scratches. Extremely Rare.
Ex Sotheby's 'Collection of Highly Important Greek and Roman Coins', 20 June 1979; lot 123;
Ex Münzen & Medaillen XXI, 9 March 1960, lot 64;
Ex Vicomte de Quelen Collection, Rollin-Feuardent, 7 May 1888, lot 1267.
This aureus, struck in the year her father Didius Julianus bought the throne of the Roman Empire at auction, shows Didia Clara as the proud bearer of the title Augusta which she and her mother Manlia Scantilla had assumed. Although she was allegedly the most beautiful woman in all of Rome, we know hardly anything about her life. She was married to Cornelius Repentinus, who served as a prefect of Rome during her father's brief reign. Silver coins of this enigmatic Augusta are rare, and in gold they are very seldom seen.
Hilaritas commonly appears on the coinage of Didia Clara. This Roman goddess personified happiness and celebration, often in the wake of the birth of a child into the imperial family. There are no records available to confirm whether Didia had children, but perhaps this type of coinage offers a clue that she may have. However these children would have never received imperial positions as the new emperor Septimius Severus removed her title following the death of her parents in the summer of 193. The fate of this mysterious woman following such tragedy is unknown.
Very Fine. Scattered marks and scratches. Extremely Rare.
Ex Sotheby's 'Collection of Highly Important Greek and Roman Coins', 20 June 1979; lot 123;
Ex Münzen & Medaillen XXI, 9 March 1960, lot 64;
Ex Vicomte de Quelen Collection, Rollin-Feuardent, 7 May 1888, lot 1267.
This aureus, struck in the year her father Didius Julianus bought the throne of the Roman Empire at auction, shows Didia Clara as the proud bearer of the title Augusta which she and her mother Manlia Scantilla had assumed. Although she was allegedly the most beautiful woman in all of Rome, we know hardly anything about her life. She was married to Cornelius Repentinus, who served as a prefect of Rome during her father's brief reign. Silver coins of this enigmatic Augusta are rare, and in gold they are very seldom seen.
Hilaritas commonly appears on the coinage of Didia Clara. This Roman goddess personified happiness and celebration, often in the wake of the birth of a child into the imperial family. There are no records available to confirm whether Didia had children, but perhaps this type of coinage offers a clue that she may have. However these children would have never received imperial positions as the new emperor Septimius Severus removed her title following the death of her parents in the summer of 193. The fate of this mysterious woman following such tragedy is unknown.