Æ26 - Valerian and Gallienus ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΕΩΝ ΔΙϹ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ

Nicomedia held the title of neokoros — guardian of an imperial cult temple — twice over, which is precisely what ΔΙϹ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ announces. The city lobbied aggressively for these honors under successive emperors, and the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus, co-emperors from 253, gave civic mints across Bithynia a burst of activity as both rulers required honorific issues. Nicomedia was among the most politically engaged cities in the province, having served as Diocletian's eastern capital a generation later — a status it was already positioning itself for during this period.