Æ17 - Septimius Severus ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ

Ephesus held the title of "first and greatest metropolis of Asia" during the Severan period, a designation it jealously guarded against rival cities like Smyrna and Pergamon. Provincial bronze issues of this type were struck under civic authority rather than imperial mandate, funded and organized locally — the legends advertising Ephesian prestige as much as facilitating trade.

V.2#222 places this among a well-documented group, but individual die studies have shown considerable variation in flan preparation across the Severan Ephesian series.