Nicaea was among the most aggressively coin-producing cities of Bithynia under the Severan dynasty, minting extensively throughout Septimius's reign as civic bronze filled the gap left by scarce imperial small denominations in the eastern provinces. The city had long competed with neighboring Nicomedia for regional prestige, and prolific local coinage was part of that rivalry.
At 15mm and under 3 grams, this falls at the lighter end of Nicaean output, likely circulating alongside heavier civic issues rather than replacing them.
Nicaea was among the most aggressively coin-producing cities of Bithynia under the Severan dynasty, minting extensively throughout Septimius's reign as civic bronze filled the gap left by scarce imperial small denominations in the eastern provinces. The city had long competed with neighboring Nicomedia for regional prestige, and prolific local coinage was part of that rivalry.
At 15mm and under 3 grams, this falls at the lighter end of Nicaean output, likely circulating alongside heavier civic issues rather than replacing them.