Æ27 - Commodus ΚΥΖΙΚΗΝΩΝ ΝΕΟΚΟΡΩΝ

Cyzicus held the title of neokoros — warden of the imperial cult — and this coin announces that status explicitly in its legend. The city earned its first neokorate under Hadrian, tied to the cult of Zeus, and parlayed that religious prestige into consistent imperial favor through the Antonine period. Under Commodus, who actively encouraged divine associations with himself, cities like Cyzicus found particular incentive to advertise their cult responsibilities on bronze civic issues.