Æ36 - Marcus Aurelius Α ΝΕΙΚ ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝ? (on shield) ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝ ΝΕΙΚΗ ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ

This issue falls within the early years of Marcus Aurelius's sole reign, almost certainly tied to the Parthian War of 161–166 AD — a conflict that began badly, with Roman forces routed at Elegeia in 161 and the governor of Syria killed. Ephesus, as the administrative capital of the conventus and the wealthiest city in the province of Asia, had both the prestige and the practical motivation to produce large bronze issues celebrating Roman victory, even prospectively. The Nike-and-shield iconography on civic bronzes of this period often preceded the actual triumph it advertised.