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Æ21 - Septimius Severus ϹΕΟΥΗΡΕΙΑ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ
| Issuer | Nicaea (Bithynia and Pontus) |
|---|---|
| Year | 193-211 |
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| Diameter | 21 mm |
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| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Reverse description | The emperor, clad in toga, stands facing with head turned to the left, holding a patera in his extended right hand and an eagle-tipped sceptre in his left. The figure is depicted in the traditional Roman civic sacrificial pose, referencing the Severan games (ϹΕΟΥΗΡΕΙΑ) celebrated at Nicaea. The reverse legend encircles the design field, naming the festival and the issuing city. The overall composition is characteristic of Greek Imperial civic bronze coinage commemorating agonistic festivals. |
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| Additional information |
The ϹΕΟΥΗΡΕΙΑ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ reverse legend identifies this as a coin issued for the Severeia games held at Nicaea — a festival instituted in honor of Septimius Severus, likely following his recognition of the city's loyalty during the civil wars of 193–197 AD. Nicaea backed Severus against his rival Pescennius Niger, who had strong support throughout the eastern provinces, and civic games were a predictable reward for that political calculation.
Nicaea and its neighbor Nicomedia competed intensely for imperial titles and honors throughout the Severan period. Festival coinage like this was as much civic propaganda as it was currency.