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Æ15 - Commodus ΙΕΡοϹ ΑΓΩΝ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ
| Issuer | Nicaea (Bithynia and Pontus) |
|---|---|
| Year | 177-192 |
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| Composition | Bronze |
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| Reverse description | A prominent agonistic amphora with two handles depicted in the central field, rendered frontally. Beneath the amphora, a palm branch extends horizontally, symbolizing athletic victory. A dotted border frames the design at the upper periphery. The reverse legend identifying the sacred games of Nicaea is distributed around the amphora. The composition is characteristic of civic coinage celebrating the city's prestigious athletic festivals. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Nicaea's civic bronze coinage under Commodus reflects the city's aggressive pursuit of prestigious festival rights — the ΙΕΡΟϹ ΑΓΩΝ ("sacred contest") designation was not automatically granted but required imperial petition and approval, and Nicaea competed bitterly with neighboring Nicomedia throughout the second century for such honors. Securing recognition of a sacred games placed a city on the circuit of professional athletes and performers who traveled the Greek East, bringing revenue and status in roughly equal measure.
At 15mm and just over two grams, this is among the smaller civic issues from the Bithynian mint, likely intended for local transactional use rather than wider regional circulation.