Æ16 - Septimius Severus ΝΕΙΚΑΕΩΝ ΕΝ ΚΙ (Β)

Nicaea Cilbianorum was a minor inland city of Lydia — not to be confused with the far more prominent Nicaea in Bithynia — and its civic coinage under Septimius Severus reflects the scramble among smaller Asian cities to demonstrate loyalty following the civil wars of 193 AD. The legend distinguishing this mint, referencing its position within the Ephesian conventus, was a jurisdictional marker that helped separate its issues administratively from the many other Nicaeas striking bronze at the time.