Roman Imperial Coins. Ae.
Pertinax. AD 193. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.04 g, 12h). Rome mint. Laureate head right / Ops seated left, holding grain ears and resting other hand on throne. RIC IV 8a; RSC 33.
Helvetius Pertinax as Commodus’ successor, a decision that was likely influenced by two prominent Romans: Claudius Pompeianus, a patron of Pertinax and second husband of Lucilla, and Flavius Sulpicianus, an ex-consul who was Pertinax’s father-in-law. Pertinax had followed a long and winding path to the imperial throne. His father was a former slave who upon freedom became a successful wool merchant. With his wealth, he was able to have his son educated and Pertinax became a grammaticus. In AD 161, he left his teaching position, opting instead for a military career and greater pay. Once there, he quickly distinguished himself and was rapidly promoted from commander of a cohort to military tribune, then to consul, and eventually to proconsul in several provinces, including Upper and Lower Moesia, Dacia, Syria, Britain and Africa. During his tenure in the army and as proconsul he acquired a reputation for probity and severity, which lead on occasion to mutinies, one of which almost cost him his life. In AD 189, Commodus appointed him urban prefect of Rome, and from this position he was offered the throne upon the death of Commodus on 31 December AD 192. Unfortunately, the strict measures Pertinax instituted to reform the government and military antagonized important factions, and the emperor was assassinated by disgruntled Praetorians on 28 March AD 193, after a reign of only 87 days.
After the death of Pertinax, it was clear that there was no clear successor to the throne. Two prominent Romans, the aforementioned Flavius Sulpicianus, and Didius Julianus, a senator and perhaps the wealthiest man in Rome, approached the Praetorians and made a bid for their support as the new emperor. Legend has it that the Praetorians compelled the two men to make competing bids in an auction-for-empire. While it was conventional for new emperors to distribute a sum of cash to the Praetorians upon their assent to the throne, such bidding for power was an affront to conservative Romans. Julianus made the higher offer, and was given the support of the Praetorians, who presented him to a Senate that was obliged to confirm his accession. At the same time, the new emperor’s wife, Manlia Scantilla, and daughter, Didia Clara, were given the rank of Augusta. Clara was then given in marriage to Cornelius Repentinus, who was presumably Julianus’ candidate for successor.
Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 3.3 gr
Diameter: 16 mm