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Orbis Collectibles

Nikaia, Macrianus I., bronze coin — Two torches (CN type 12864)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 260–261

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Coin in bronze struck at Nikaia under Macrianus I., dated AD 260–261. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12864 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Radiate bust of Macrianus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΤΙΤ ΦΟVΛΙΟV ΜΑΚΡΙΑΝΟᛈ ᛈΕΒ. Reverse: Two torches; inbetween, altar. Legend: ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ - ΒV-ΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ / i.f. ΟΜ/ΟΝ/Ο/Ι/Α. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 6.07 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 23–25.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert-Geiß, Die Münzprägung von Byzantion. Kaiserzeit, Berlin 1972, nr. 1882.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Nicaea, also known as Nikaia, was an ancient Greek city situated in the northwestern Anatolian region of Bithynia, at the eastern end of Lake Ascanius. Enclosed by extensive defensive walls, the city was a prominent urban centre in the region. During the Roman Imperial Period, civic coinages were struck by the city under imperial claimants such as Macrianus.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
23–25.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
6.07 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Nikaia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Macrianus I.

Design

Obverse type
Radiate bust of Macrianus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Two torches; inbetween, altar.
Obverse legend
ΤΙΤ ΦΟVΛΙΟV ΜΑΚΡΙΑΝΟᛈ ᛈΕΒ
Reverse legend
ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ - ΒV-ΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ / i.f. ΟΜ/ΟΝ/Ο/Ι/Α

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12864
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12864

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

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