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Æ16 - Septimius Severus ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ
| Issuer | Nicaea (Bithynia and Pontus) |
|---|---|
| Year | 193-211 |
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| Composition | Bronze |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | An erect serpent coiling rightward around and enfolding a tall torch, the reptile's head raised at the top of the composition in a dynamic pose. This type, associated with chthonic and healing symbolism, is a well-attested civic reverse type of Nicaea in Bithynia. The ethnic legend ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ is distributed around the field. The design is executed in a simple, linear provincial style with a dotted border. |
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| Reverse lettering | ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ (Translation: of the Nicaeans) |
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| Additional information |
Nicaea's civic bronze issues under Septimius Severus reflect the city's political agility during a dangerous moment — when Severus was consolidating power after defeating his rival Pescennius Niger, whose primary base of support had been concentrated in the eastern provinces, including Bithynia. Cities that had backed Niger faced reprisals; those that demonstrated loyalty early were rewarded with continued minting privileges. Nicaea navigated this carefully.
At under two grams, this falls toward the lighter end of the city's output for the reign, possibly reflecting localized metal shortages or adjusted civic budgets in the unsettled years following 193.