Æ29 - Septimius Severus ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ

Nicaea was one of the most productive civic mints in Bithynia under Septimius Severus, striking heavily throughout his reign as the city competed with neighboring Nicomedia for imperial favor and prestige. That rivalry was administrative as much as commercial — Nicomedia held the title of provincial capital, a slight Nicaea never quite accepted.

The ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ ethnic legend asserts civic identity in the bluntest possible way.