Nicaea

Along with the rest of Bithynia, Nicaea came under the rule of the Roman Republic in 72 BC. The city remained one of the most important urban centres of Asia Minor throughout the Roman period, and continued its old competition with Nicomedia over pre-eminence and the location of the seat of the Roman governor of Bithynia et Pontus. Strabo described the city as built in the typical Hellenistic fashion with great regularity, in the form of a square, measuring 16 stadia in circumference, covering an area of 124 acres; it had four gates, and all its streets intersected one another at right angles in accordance with the Hippodamian plan, so that from a monument in the centre all the four gates could be seen. This monument stood in the gymnasium, which was destroyed by fire but was restored with increased magnificence by Pliny the Younger, when he was governor there in the early 2nd century AD. Emperor Hadrian visited the city in 123 AD after it had been severely damaged by an earthquake and began to rebuild it. The new city was enclosed by a polygonal wall of some 5 kilometres in length. Reconstruction was not completed until the 3rd century, and the new set of walls failed to save Nicaea from being sacked by the Goths in 258 AD. The numerous coins of Nicaea which still exist attest the interest taken in the city by the Roman emperors, as well as its attachment to the rulers; many of them commemorate great festivals celebrated there in honour of gods and emperors.

Hover to enlarge

Severus Alexander
222 to 235 AD
AE 21, Nicaea
Obvs: MAVPCEV ALEXANDPOC, in Greek letters.
Revs: NI KA IE, three standards.
21mm, 4.3g
$10.00
Order # LR 069
Ref: GIC 3287

SOLD
ode" value="USD">

Hover to enlarge

Theodore I
Mint: Nicaea
Billon trachy
1208 to 1212 AD
Obvs: MP ΘV, The Virgin enthroned holding nimbate head of Christ.
Revs: Theodore and Saint Theodore holding patriarchal cross between them.
25x30mm, 2.7g.
$260.00
Order # B 112
Ref: DO 4.460.5a, Sear 2061

Hover to enlarge

Theodore I
Mint: Nicaea
Billon trachy
1208 to 1212 AD
Obvs: The Virgin enthroned holding nimbate head of Christ.
Revs: Theodore and Saint Theodore holding patriarchal cross between them.
20x25mm, 2.8g.
$305.00
Order # B 113
Ref: v. DO 4.460.5a, Sear --
Note: Theodore wears unlisted tunic.

Hover to enlarge

Theodore I
Mint: Nicaea
Billon trachy
1208 AD
Obvs: Christ enthroned holding Gospels. No asterisk
Revs: Theodore holding scepter cruciger and akakia. ωc left, k right.
20x32mm, 3.3g.
$305.00
Order # B 115
Ref: DO 4 Type b, Sear --