Nicaea had been one of the most politically significant cities in Bithynia since its founding, and its civic coinage under Septimius Severus reflects the city's eagerness to align itself with the new Severan dynasty following the chaos of 193 AD — the Year of the Four Emperors. Provincial bronzes of this type were struck entirely for local circulation and had no standing in Roman imperial finance, funded instead by civic or individual magistrate sponsorship.
The ethnic legend ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ is the genitive plural demonym, a formula standard to Nicaean civic issues of the period.
Nicaea had been one of the most politically significant cities in Bithynia since its founding, and its civic coinage under Septimius Severus reflects the city's eagerness to align itself with the new Severan dynasty following the chaos of 193 AD — the Year of the Four Emperors. Provincial bronzes of this type were struck entirely for local circulation and had no standing in Roman imperial finance, funded instead by civic or individual magistrate sponsorship.
The ethnic legend ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ is the genitive plural demonym, a formula standard to Nicaean civic issues of the period.