Æ27 - Septimius Severus ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΕΙΑ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ

Nicaea's civic bronze coinage under Septimius Severus reflects the city's determined cultivation of imperial favor during a reign that began in civil war. Severus defeated three rival claimants between 193 and 197, and provincial cities that demonstrated early loyalty — through embassies, dedications, and coin issues flattering the new dynasty — stood to gain in status and privileges. Nicaea was in direct competition with neighboring Nicomedia for primacy in Bithynia, a rivalry that played out partly through the prestige of civic coin production.