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Nikopolis ad Istrum, Septimius Severus, bronze coin — City gate through the doorway a small tetrastyle temple can be (CN type 21503)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 201–204

Issuing entity

Moesia inferior

Coin in bronze struck at Nikopolis ad Istrum in Moesia inferior under Septimius Severus, dated AD 201–204. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 21503 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate head of Septimius Severus, right. Legend: ΑVΤ Λ ϹΕΠΤ ϹΕVΗΡ ΠΕΡ. Reverse: City gate (Nikopolis ad Istrum) through the doorway a small tetrastyle temple can be seen. Above the city gate is a third building, which is interpreted as the Stoa of the marketplace. Legend: VΠ ΑVΡ ΓΑΛΛΟV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹΤΡ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 9.95 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 24.3–26.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens).

Published references cited by the corpus: Pick, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands. 1. Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien. 1. Halbbd. I 1, Berlin 1898, p. 369, nr. 1331; Christova, The coins of Moesia Inferior 1st - 3rd c. AD: Nikopolis ad Istrum, Blagoevgrad 2017, p. 127, nr. 8.14.46.2.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

Septimius Severus ruled as Roman emperor from 193 to 211, securing the throne following the Year of the Five Emperors and founding the Severan dynasty. This bronze issue was struck under his authority between 201 and 204 at Nicopolis ad Istrum, a Roman and Early Byzantine town located in northern Bulgaria. The city flourished during this era, reaching its zenith during the reigns of Hadrian, the Antonines, and the Severan dynasty.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
24.3–26.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
9.95 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Nikopolis ad Istrum
Region
Moesia inferior
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Septimius Severus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate head of Septimius Severus, right.
Reverse type
City gate (Nikopolis ad Istrum) through the doorway a small tetrastyle temple can be seen. Above the city gate is a third building, which is interpreted as the Stoa of the marketplace.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Λ ϹΕΠΤ ϹΕVΗΡ ΠΕΡ
Reverse legend
VΠ ΑVΡ ΓΑΛΛΟV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹΤΡ

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/21503
Type corpus identifier
CN type 21503

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

Varieties

  • Nikopolis ad Istrum, Septimius Severus, bronze (CN type 21925)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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