BITHYNIA, Nikomedia
C. Papirius Carbo, Proconsul of Bithynia et Pontus (62-59 BC)
AE20. 3.95g, 19.9mm
MINTED: BITHYNIA, Nikomedia, 59/8 BC
REF: HGC 7. 596 (R1); SNG Cop 545
OBVERSE: NIKOMHΔEΩN, Laureate head of Zeus right.
REVERSE: ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ / ΠΑΠΙΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΡΒΩΝΟΣ, Roma seated left on shields, holding Nike and spear; PΩMH in exergue, ΔΚΣ (date) beneath throne.

Grade/Notes:
Almost Very Fine. Dark green patina. Some adjustment marks and light cleaning scratches. 
Historically interesting issue, struck in the name of the city and the Roman proconsul, C. Papirius Carbo, who was the governing official of the province.  
 
Historical Notes:
Nicomedia was a large, metropolitan port-city that served as the capital of the Roman province of Bithynia.  It benefited not only from its strategic location between Europe and the East, but also from a fertile hinterland.  During the Severan era, both Caracalla and Elagabalus spent some time in the city, the former while preparing for his campaign against Parthia, and the later in 218, while en route to Rome shortly after he had been declared Emperor.  It was said that the bizarre religious rituals Elagabalus held while at Nicomedia so alarmed the citizens that they rioted against him.  During the Tetrarchy, Nicomedia became one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire, with Emperor Diocletian making it the capital of the Empire's eastern half.