Æ35 - Septimius Severus ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΕΩΝ ΔΙϹ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ

Nicomedia's claim to the title ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ — "twice temple warden" — was fiercely political. The city lobbied aggressively for its second neokorate under Severus, framing its loyalty during the civil wars of 193 as leverage. The ΔΙϹ designation on this issue was not ceremonial boasting; it was a public record of imperial favour granted in exchange for early and vocal support against Pescennius Niger, whose own power base lay uncomfortably close in the eastern provinces.