Æ30 - Septimius Severus ΗΡΑΚΛΗΑϹ ΠΟΝΤΩ

Heraclea Pontica had a complicated relationship with Rome long before Septimius Severus came to power — the city had been sacked by the Roman general Cotta in 70 BC, losing much of its population to slavery. Under the Severan dynasty it recovered sufficient civic standing to produce a substantial local bronze coinage, of which this is a product. Provincial issues of this size from Bithynia and Pontus were not struck by imperial directive but funded and administered locally, making each emission a decision of the city council rather than Rome.