Featured The NICOMEDIA mint Challenge

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, Feb 7, 2020.

  1. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

    The city
    Nicomedia
    was founded in 284 BC as the capital of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Bithynia; the King Nicomedes I gave his name to the place. Its strategic location made the city a significant trading, military and artistic centre throughout the ages and it was once one of the four largest cities of the Roman world. It is now in Turkey and is called Izmit.
    [​IMG]

    The city is destroyed, in 111 AD by a big fire, which made many victims, because of the absence of firemen. Nicomedia reached its peak in late Antiquity, as the imperial capital of Diocletian and frequent residence of Constantine the great who was baptized there on his deathbed. The emperor Diocletian made it the eastern capital city of the Roman Empire in 286 AD when he introduced the Tetrarchy system. Galerius Maximian and Licinius also chose it as the capital of the eastern half of the Empire. Constantine I stayed in the imperial palace of Nicomedia during the years when the great Constantinople was built. In 303 AD, Diocletian ordered that the newly-built church at Nicomedia be destroyed, its scriptures burnt, and its precious stones seized. The next day, February 24th, he issued his "First Edict Against the Christians," which ordered similar measures to be taken at churches across the Empire. This was the beginning of a period called " The 20,000 martyrs of Nicomedia". Many of them were killed en masse, when they were ordered, during Christmas mass, to sacrifice to idols; when they refused, they were locked in the churches and the buildings burned around them.

    [​IMG]

    Some believe that the number of 20,000 is exaggerated. However, the martyrs of Nicomedia continue to be remembered with feast days: they are commemorated on 28 December in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and by the Byzantine Catholic and Latin rite Catholic Churches. In 358 AD, Nicomedia was wrecked by a powerful earthquake followed by a fire of great magnitude that destroyed what was left standing after the earthquake. The city was rebuilt but without the splendour of the old days. The magnificent Constantinople was destined to be the uncontested capital of the region, which is why it did not seem necessary to invest considerable resources in rebuilding the city.
    Sadly, archeologists were never really welcomed in the modern city. There has been no systematic excavation of ancient Nicomedia. In 1999, another big earthquake, which badly damaged most of the city, also led to important discoveries of ancient Nicomedia during the subsequent debris clearing. A wealth of ancient statuary was uncovered, including statues of Hercules, Athena, Diocletian and Constantine. Later, the site where Diocletian built his palace was found, and also an ancient Roman theatre.
    [​IMG]
    One of the painted reliefs found in 2001: goddess Roma, Nike and Roman officials in a processional scene.

    [​IMG]
    Another relief discovered in 2009: the meeting of two Roman generals (brothers or emperors?).
    The mint
    Nicomedia
    had minted coins from the old times of the Kingdom of Bithynia. The official mint at Nicomedia was opened in about 302 AD by Diocletian and continued to strike coins throughout the 4th century AD. The monetary workshop strucked gold, silver and bronze coins. In the beginning, there were only 2 officinae in operation, which could explain why Nicomedia's folles are rarer than those of the others Roman mints. Later, during the time of the second Tetrarchy, the mint was working with 4 officinae and the production still increase during the reign of Licinius I with the opening of 3 more workshops. After Constantine won the war against Licinius in 324 AD and eliminated all his opponents, the mint of Nicomedia reached his cruising speed. Around 363 AD, the emperor Julian reformed the monetary system and reduced the production of the workshop to 3 officinae. Finally during the time of Arcadius around 395 AD, there were only 2 offices opened and the quantity of coins produced slowly decreased until the Byzantine period. The mintmarks for this city are : MN, N,NIC, NICO, NIK, SMN. About the quality of the coinage, the level is equal to the other mints of the empire. The artistic style is described as very oriental with a peculiar lack of realism, but over the years the celators refined their skills and reached the degree of all the imperial workshop.
    This mint was active under the following issuer:
    Diocletian, Maximian I , Galerius, Constantius I, Severus, Maximinus Daia, Constantine I, Licinius I, Galeria Valeria, Constantine II, Crispus, Licinius II, Constantius, Constantius II, Fausta, Helena, Sextus Martinianus, Constans, Dalmatius, Constantius Gallus, Julian, Jovian, Valens, Valentinian I, Procopius, Gratian, Valentinian II, Theodosius I, Arcadius, Aelia Flaccilla and Honorius.

    How many different examples could we find ? Please show us your Nicomedian examples!

    Voici my modest contribution to this thread :
    CONSTANTINE
    43295B52-9D57-43CD-8A5A-A4F603E4CEA8.jpeg
    CONSTANS
    055CC8F0-9305-4AEE-8647-E6C14738AAF9.jpeg
    GRATIAN
    8D9D8769-8BF9-4ADC-B318-F0601857BD58.jpeg
     
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  3. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Helena (Augusta)
    Coin: AE3
    FL HELENA AVG - diademed bust right, wearing mantle and necklace
    SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE - Securitas standing, lowering branch lowering branch with left hand, raising hem of robe with right hand. Mintmark MN Gamma.
    Exergue:[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    Mint: Nicomedia (AD 325-326)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 2.74g / 17.5mm / -
    References:
    • RIC VII Nicomedia 129 Gamma
    • Sear 16620
     
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  4. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    Here's a scarce issue from my old folder under Licinius I. RIC VII-Nicomedia-44D.

    Lic One Nico  Ric 7-44 D.jpg LicOneRev      Rare.jpg
     
  5. gogili1977

    gogili1977 Well-Known Member

    Maximinus II
    128-03.jpg
    Licinius
    132-02.jpg
    Licinius II
    133-01.jpg
    Constantine I
    136-32.jpg Urbs Roma
    137-01.jpg
    Crispus
    142-20.jpg
    Constantine II
    145-20.jpg
     
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  6. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

  7. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

  8. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    Hrefn, Edessa, doucet and 23 others like this.
  9. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    Cettte piece is also from my old folders. It was struck under Constantine II and rated R4. RIC VII- SMN- 35.

    Cstn2 J O R4      Nicomedia (1).jpg Cstn2 J R-  R4     Ric 7- 35.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    ri230.jpg
    Early 4th century
    Nicomedia mint
    Obvs: DEAE SANC CERERI, veiled and draped bust of Ceres left, holding grain ear and poppy in raised right hand.
    Revs: GEN CIVI T NICOM, Fortuna Redux standing facing, head left, holding in right hand rudder set on ground and cradling cornucopia in left arm; OPA.
    AE 15x16mm, 1.46g
    Ref: Vagi 2958; Van Heesch 1
     
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  11. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Caracalla 10a.jpg
    CARACALLA
    AE23
    OBVERSE: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
    REVERSE: NIKOMHDEΩN ΔIC NEΩKOPΩN, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
    Struck at BITHYNIA, Nicomedia, 198-217 AD
    7.1g, 23mm
    RG 234; WADD RG S546,234(1-3)
    Galerius 2a.png
    GALERIUS
    AE Follis
    OBVERSE: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right
    REVERSE: GENIO AVGVSTI CMH, Genius standing left, modius on head, chlamys over shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, SMNA in ex
    Struck at Nicomedia 308-311 AD
    7.6g, 26mm
    RIC VI 54a, A
    Constantine I 5.jpg
    CONSTANTINE I
    AE3
    OBVERSE: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, laureate head right
    REVERSE: PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, campgate with two turrets & star above, no door, SMNB in ex.
    Struck at Nicomedia 324-325 AD
    2.9g, 19mm
    RIC VII 90,B
    Licinius II 6.jpg
    LICINIUS II
    AE Follis
    OBVERSE: DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C, helmeted & cuirassed bust left, holding spear & shield
    REVERSE: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding Victory on globe & leaning on sceptre, eagle with wreath left, captive right; X over II Mu in right field; SMNB in ex.
    Struck at Nicomedia 321-324 AD
    3.0g, 19mm
    RIC VII 49
    Crispus 5.jpg
    CRISPUS
    AE3
    OBVERSE: D N FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
    REVERSE: PROVIDEN TIAECAESS Jupiter stg. l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on scepter, holding Victory on globe. In field to l., palm branch; in field to r., dot A; in exergue, SMN
    Struck at Nicomedia 317 - 320 A.D
    2.92g, 18mm
    RIC VII 32
    Constans 2.jpg
    CONSTANS
    AE2
    OBVERSE: D N CONSTANS P F AVG - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe
    REVERSE: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier dragging young barbarian from hut beneath tree of one branch with millet-like head with a multi-leaved stalk on each side, SMNA in ex.
    Struck at Nicomedia 348-351 AD
    3.8g, 20.5mm
    Nicomedia RIC VIII 72
    Valentinian I 2.jpg
    VALENTINIAN I
    AE3
    OBVERSE: D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
    REVERSE: GLORIA ROMANORVM, Valentinian advancing right, holding labarum and dragging captive. Mintmark SMNA
    Struck at Nicomedia 364-375AD
    2.1g, 18mm
    RIC 9a
    Honorius 3.jpg
    HONORIUS
    AE2
    OBVERSE: D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
    REVERSE: GLORIA ROMANORVM, emperor standing, head right, holding labarum & globe, star in right field, SMNA in ex
    Struck at Nicomedia, 392-95 AD
    4.9g, 22mm
    RIC 46c
    Justinian1.jpg
    JUSTINIAN I
    AE Half Follis
    OBVERSE: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield with horseman motif, cross to right
    REVERSE: Large K, ANNO to left, chi-rho above, regnal year XVIIII to right, mintmark NI
    Struck at Nicomedia 545-6 AD
    10.2g, 25mm
    SB 0203
    Justin II 1.jpg
    JUSTINIAN I
    AE Half Follis
    OBVERSE: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield with horseman motif, cross to right
    REVERSE: Large K, ANNO to left, chi-rho above, regnal year XVIIII to right, mintmark NI
    Struck at Nicomedia 545-6 AD
    10.2g, 25mm
    SB 0203
     
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  12. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    Here's a Galerius from Nicomedia with an interesting ligature:

    Rom – Galerius, Follis, Nikomedia.png
    Galerius Maximianus, Roman Empire, AE1, 308–311 AD, Nicomedia mint. Obv: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; head of Galerius, laureate, r. Rev: GENIO AVGVSTI CMH (ligated); Genius, wearing modius, nude, chlamys draped over l. shoulder, standing l., pouring liquid from patera in r. hand and holding cornucopiae in l. hand; in exergue, SMNA. 26mm, 7.52g. Ref: RIC VI Nicomedia 54a or 66a.
     
  13. Archilochus

    Archilochus Active Member

    Screen Shot 2020-02-07 at 4.31.16 PM.png

    ROMAN EMPIRE. Julian II. 361-364 AD. Æ Double Maiorina (8.98 gm; 27 mm). Nicomedia, AD 363-364. D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / SECVRITAS REIPVB, bull standing right, two stars above; NIKB in exergue. RIC 121.
     
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  14. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    This thread needs a Galeria Valeria!

    [​IMG]
    Galeria Valeria, AD 293(?)-311.
    Roman Æ Follis, 26 mm, 6.64 gm.
    Nicomedia mint, 308-310 CE.
    Obv: GAL VAL-ERIA AVG, diademed and draped bust right.
    Rev: VENERI VI-CTRICI CMH, Venus standing facing, head left, holding apple and drapery; in exergue, SMNA.
     
  15. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Galerius Augustus
    ru4040bb1723.jpg

    Maximinus II Augustus
    ru4147bb3121.jpg
     
  16. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Terrific write up and coins. So when did minting stop in Nicomedia?

    These are kind of late, I'd guess - two folles of Heraclius from Nicomedia (SB 834; MIB 175; DOC Type 2), years 4 and 5 (613-615 A.D.). Big sloppy overstrikes:

    Byz - Heraclius Nicom. follis lot Feb 2020 (0).jpg

    Byz Heraclius - Nicomedia Follis Jan 2020 (0).jpg
     
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  17. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Bithynia - Prusias II Cynegus ex stevex6.jpg KINGDOM OF BITHYNIA. Prusias II Cynegus
    AE22. 6.38g, 21.9mm. Nikomedia mint, circa 182-149 BC. SNG Cop 635; RecGen 26; HGC 7, 629. O: Wreathed head of Dionysos right. R: BASILEWS BAΣILEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY, Centaur (Chiron) advancing right, playing kithara; monogram below raised foreleg.
    Ex stevex6 Collection; ex Dr. Lawrence D. Sporty Collection

    One from the Republican period...

    BITHYNIA Nikomedia - AE25 Papirius Carbo 2291.jpg BITHYNIA, Nikomedia
    AE25. 8.4g, 25.2mm. BITHYNIA, Nikomedia, 59/8 BC .C. Papirius Carbo, Proconsul of Bithynia et Pontus (62-59 BC). HGC 7. 596 (R1); SNG Cop 545. O: NIKOMHΔEΩN, Laureate head of Zeus right. R: ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ / ΠΑΠΙΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΡΒΩΝΟΣ, Roma seated left on shields, holding Nike and spear; PΩMH in exergue, ΔΚΣ (date) beneath throne.

    A Roman provincial:

    Plautilla - Nicomedia Triton.jpg PLAUTILLA
    AE Assarion. 3.68g, 19.4mm. BITHYNIA, Nicomedia, circa AD 202-205. RG 253 (same obv. die); Lindgren & Kovacs 172 (same obv. die). O: ΦOY ΠΛAYTIΛΛA CEBA-CTH, draped bust right. R: NIKOMHΔEΩN - ΔIC NEΩKO/PΩN (second neocorate), (Female?) Ichthyocentaur, diademed, nude, with forefeet of horse and serpentine-shaped fishtail, riding left over waves, holding rudder over left shoulder and in extended right hand unknown object (dolphin?).

    Two Imperial favorites...

    Licinius I - Iovi Nicomedia c 311 heavy.jpg LICINIUS I
    AE Follis. 7.41g, 22.8mm. Nicomedia mint, circa AD 311. RIC VI Nicomedia 69a corr. (no eagle at feet). O: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG, laureate head right. R: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, chlamys hanging behind, holding Victory on globe and sceptre; A in right field, SMN in exergue.
    Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection (1853-1923)

    Maximianus - Argenteus Victoriae Sarmatica 2326 b.jpg MAXIMIANUS
    AR Argenteus. 3.11g, 17.9mm. Nicomedia mint, circa AD 295-296. RIC VI Nicomedia 25b; RSC 553c. O: MAXIMIANVS AVG, laureate head right. R: VICTORIAE SARMATICAE, campgate with four turrets, doors open, and star above archway; SMNΓ in exergue.
     
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  18. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    GALERIA VALERIA
    [​IMG]
    Galeria Valeria AE Follis
    Attribution:
    RIC VI 57 Nicomedia
    Date: 308-310 AD
    Obverse: GAL VAL-ERIA AVG, Diademed robed bust right
    Reverse: VENERI VI-CTRICI, CMH monogram, Venus standing left, holding apple , SMNΓ in exergue
    Size: 22.94mm
    Weight: 5.42 grams


    Constantine's Mother:
    [​IMG]
    RI Helena mother Constantine AE Follis Securitas Nicomedia mint 325-326 CE 19mm 3.3g RIC-95 Sear 16619
     
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  19. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Macrinus Nikomedia AE30 /NEIKOMHΔEΩN ΔIC NEΩKOPΩN
    pn1560bb1879.jpg
     
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  20. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    I have this rough, tiny Marcian.. 9.8mm (sorry for the photo)
    He is missing from your list of issuers from Nicomedia.

    MarcianMERGE.jpg
    upload_2020-2-7_23-3-43.png
     
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  21. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    My one coin from the Nicomedia mint: Diocletian, silvered AE Follis, 294-96 AD, Nicomedia Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG/ Rev. Genius standing left, pouring out patera & holding cornucopiae, GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, mintmark SMN (Nicomedia). RIC VI 27a, ERIC II 539, Cohen 149. 27.8 mm., 8.6 g.

    Diocletian silvered follis, Nicomedia mint, obverse.jpg

    Diocletian silvered follis, Nicomedia mint, reverse.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2020
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