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Æ16 - Septimius Severus ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ
| Issuer | Nicaea (Bithynia and Pontus) |
|---|---|
| Year | 193-211 |
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| Reference(s) | RPC V.2#78882 |
| Obverse description | Bare head of the emperor Septimius Severus facing right, with characteristic short curly hair and beard rendered in fine stippled relief. The portrait displays the emperor's effigy in the Roman provincial style typical of Bithynian mint output. A partial legend appears in the field, partially visible due to the irregular flan. The die work reflects the provincial engraving conventions of the late 2nd to early 3rd century AD. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Additional information |
Nicaea's civic bronze issues under Septimius Severus reflect the city's careful alignment with the new Severan dynasty following the chaotic Year of the Five Emperors in 193 AD — a period when provincial mints had to move quickly to demonstrate loyalty to whichever claimant looked most durable. Nicaea had backed the right side.
The ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ ethnic on the reverse was a consistent assertion of civic identity that Bithynian cities maintained jealously across centuries of Roman rule, distinguishing their local bronze from imperial coinage in both function and prestige.