SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS

AD 193-211 AE18. 3.11g, 18mm MINTED: MOESIA INFERIOR, Nicopolis ad Istrum, circa AD 193-211 REF: Varbanov 2376; Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2018) 8.14.8.21 var. (obv legend) OBVERSE: AY K Λ CЄYHPOC, laureate head right.

REVERSE: NIKOPOΛIT ΠPOC ICT, Dionysos standing left, holding bunch of grapes and thyrsos.

Notes:

Dark green patina. 

Historical Notes:

Nicopolis, located in present-day northern Bulgaria, was one of the cities founded by Emperor Trajan between AD 102-106, following his victory over King Decebalus in the Dacian Wars.  The city was situated by the river Iatrus, and flourished as a major trading centre during the Antonine and Severan dynasties.  By the mid 3rd century, however, the region began to be increasingly subject to invasions by the barbarian tribes, until stability was restored under Emperor Diocletian (AD 284-305), and Nicopolis once again prospered.  In AD 447, the city was pillaged and destroyed by the armies of Attila the Hun.