Coins from Bithynia
Bithynia was an ancient region, kingdom and Roman province in the northwest of Asia Minor, adjoining the Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus and the Euxine Sea.

It bordered Mysia to the southwest, Paphlagonia to the northeast along the Pontic coast, and Phrygia to the southeast towards the interior of Asia Minor.

Bithynia was an independent kingdom from the 4th century BC. Its capital Nicomedia was rebuilt on the site of ancient Astacus in 264 BC by Nicomedes I of Bithynia. Bithynia was bequeathed to the Roman Republic in 74 BC, and became united with the Pontus region as the province of Bithynia et Pontus
Bithynia
(1) Alexander III
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An AR Drachm struck 250-200 BC ? in Chalcedon
Obverse: Head of young Heracles in lionskin right countermark: Kalchedon ? - head of Demeter ?, bee below, (KA) right

Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter AΛEΞANΔPOY

Diameter: 16 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
No notes for this coin
zum Gegenstempel vgl. Price, Alexander, S. 69
Greek (Kingdom of Macedonia)
(2) Arcadius
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An AE Centenionalis struck AD 402 in Nicomedia
Obverse: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, Cuirassed bust with helmeted head facing, holding spear and shield

Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG, Constantinopolis seated in front, holding Victory on globe and sceptre

Diameter: 0 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
No notes for this coin
Sear 20805
Roman Imperial (Eastern Empire)
(3) Arcadius
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An AE unit struck 392-395 A.D. in Nicomedia
Obverse: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM, emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum and globe

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.15 g
SMNB
RIC IX 46b
Roman Imperial (Eastern Empire)
(4) Arcadius
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An AE Half-Centenionalis struck 383 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; D N ARCADIVS P F AVG

Reverse: VOT / V within wreath; SMNΓ

Diameter: 13.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.32 g
19.1.383 - 25.8.383 AD
RIC IX Nicomedia 37c
Roman Imperial (Eastern Empire)
(5) C. Papirius Carbo Proconsul
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An AE unit struck 59 BC in Nicomedia
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus right; NIKOMHΔEΩN

Reverse: Roma seated left on pile of shields holding Nike and spear; EΠIΓAIOY // ΠAΠIPIOY / KAPBΩNOΣ / ΔKΣ

Diameter: 23 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.1 g
No notes for this coin
Rec Gen II.3 p. 514, 2; BMC Pontus 1-3; SNG Cop 545; SNGvA 736
Roman Provincial (Republican Provincial)
(6) C. Papirius Carbo Proconsul
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An AE unit struck 59 BC in Nicomedia
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus right; NIKOMHΔEΩN / (ΠAI) / ΔKΣ

Reverse: Roma seated left on pile of shields holding Nike and spear; EΠI ΓAIOY // ΠAΠIPIOY / KAPBΩNOΣ // PΩMH

Diameter: 24 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.3 g
No notes for this coin
SNG von Aulock 532 var. (M to inner right on rev.); SNG Copenhagen 466 var. (same)
Roman Provincial (Republican Provincial)
(7) Chalcedon | Lysimachos
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An AR Tetradrachm struck c. 250-100 BC in Chalcedon | Byzantion
Obverse: Head of the deified Alexander with diadem and Ammon's horns right

Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding Nike with wreath, transverse spear, resting hand on shield; BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΛYΣIMAXOY // AΣ / KAΛXA

Diameter: 32.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.1 g
Dies for Chalcedon and Byzantion tetradrachms were made by the same engravers and probably also struck in the same workshop.
Marinescu 115 (O. 44 R. 104) issue 50
Greek (City Coinage)
(8) Constantine I
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An AE Centenionalis struck 325-326 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: laureate head right; CONSTAN_TINVS AVG

Reverse: Camp gate with 2 turrets and 8 layers, star above; PROVIDEN_TIAE AVGG / MNΓ

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VII Nicomedia 121
Roman Imperial (Constantinian Era)
(9) Constantine II
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An AE unit struck 337-340 A.D. in Nicomedia
Obverse: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right

Reverse: PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS, campgate, 2 turrets, 7 layers, dots in top layer, star above, no doors.

Diameter: 18.5 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 2.6 g

Mintmark: SMNΔ dot

RIC 158 var.
Roman Imperial (Constantinian Era)
(10) Constantius II
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An AE Centenionalis struck 348-351 A.D. in Nicomedia
Obverse: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe

Reverse: FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, Emperor bare headed and in military dress standing left, holding labarum in his right hand, resting left hand on shield. Two bound captives standing and leaning to the left before him.

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VIII 67
Roman Imperial (Constantinian Era)
(11) Constantius II
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An AE Centenionalis struck IX 337 - 340 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: rosette-laurel-diademed head right; D N CONSTAN_TIVS P F AVG

Reverse: two soldiers standing either side of a standard (o on banner); GLOR_IA EXERC_ITVS / SMNΓ

Diameter: 13.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.8 g
IX 337 - spring 340 AD
RIC VIII Nicomedia 11; Sear 17996
Roman Imperial (Constantinian Era)
(12) Crispus
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An AE Centenionalis struck 324 - 325 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: FL IVL CRIS-PVS NOB C: Bust of Crispus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, left

Reverse: PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS: Camp gate with two turrets, without doors, with varying number of stone layers; star above. MintMark: -/-//SMNB

Diameter: 19.6 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.18 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VII Nicomedia 92
Roman Imperial (Constantinian Era)
(13) Domitian
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An AE unit struck 81-96 AD in Claudiopolis (Bithynia)
Obverse: radiate head right; ΑΥΤ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ

Reverse: Demeter standing left, holding corn-ears and long sceptre; ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ

Diameter: 24.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.3 g
No notes for this coin
RPC II, 695
Roman Provincial (Twelve Caesars)
(14) Galerius
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An AE Follis struck 307-308 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Head of Galerius facing right, wearing laurel wreath

Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI CMH (in ligature), Genius, wearing modius, nude, chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing facing left, pouring liquid from patera in right hand and holding cornucopia in left; SMNB in exergue

Diameter: 27 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 6.68 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VI Nicomedia 51 var. (officina)
Roman Imperial (Tetrarchy)
(15) Gordian III
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An AE unit struck 238-244 AD in Nicaea
Obverse: radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; M ANT_ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ

Reverse: four standards, eagles on the middle two, wreaths on other two; N-I-K-A-I / EΩN

Diameter: 19.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.8 g
No notes for this coin
BMC 118, SNG Copenhagen 526
Roman Provincial (3rd Century Crisis)
(16) Honorius
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An AE Centenionalis struck AD 393-395 in Nicomedia
Obverse: DN ARCADIVS PF AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM. Arcadius in military attire on horseback pacing right, his right hand raised

Diameter: 15 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 1.4 g
RIC IX Nicomedia 47c; Sear 20997
Sear 20816ff
Roman Imperial (Eastern Empire)
(17) Kios
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An AE unit struck 325-300 BC in Kios
Obverse: head of Mithra right wearing peaked cap

Reverse: Kantharos with two grape vines within wreath of grain; A / K_I

Diameter: 16 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.9 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Copenhagen 382
Greek (City Coinage)
(18) Licinius
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An AE Follis struck 313-317 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG Laurete head right

Reverse: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI Jupiter standing left, wearing chlamys (cloak) across left shoulder, holding Victory on globe left and eagle-tipped sceptre right, eagle with wreath in lower left field and N over G (Gamma) in right field. Exergue: SMN

Diameter: 23 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.8 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VII Nicomedia 15. RIC rarity: R1 (Rare)
Roman Imperial (Tetrarchy)
(19) Licinius
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/91_Licinius_Nicomedia.jpg
An AE Follis struck 313-317 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: laureate head right; IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG

Reverse: Jupiter standing left, holding Victory and scepter; eagle to left; IOVI CONS_ERVATORI / Z / SMN

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.68 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VII Nicomedia 13
Roman Imperial (Tetrarchy)
(20) Lysimachos
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 323-281 BC in Chalcedon
Obverse: Diademed head of deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon

Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAΧOY / Athena seated left, holding Nike and resting elbow on shield at side, spear leaning against far shoulder; ΔI in inner left field

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.83 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
Greek (Other Greek)
(21) Maximinus II
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An AE Follis struck 310-311 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINUS PF AVG, Laureate bust right

Reverse: GENIO AVGVSTI CMH

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 6.78 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VI 66c
Roman Imperial (Tetrarchy)
(22) Maximinus II
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An AE Follis struck 312 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Head of Maximinus facing right, wearing laurel wreath

Reverse: SOLI INVICTO, Sol standing facing left in long robe, with raised right hand and holding up head of Serapis in left, star Γ to left, Mintmark SMN

Diameter: 23 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.22 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VI Nicomedia 77b
Roman Imperial (Tetrarchy)
(23) Prusias II
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An AE unit struck 182-149 BC in Bithynia
Obverse: Wreathed head of Dionysos right

Reverse: Centaur advancing right, playing lyre; monogram below raised foreleg

Diameter: 21 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 5.73 g
Brown patina, about VF
RG 26; SNG Copenhagen 639; HGC 7, 629.
Greek (Kingdom of Bithynia)
(24) Prusias II
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An AE unit struck c. 180-150 BC in Nicomedia
Obverse: head of Dionysos right wearing ivy-wreath

Reverse: Centaur Chieron walking right, wearing cloak, playing lyre BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY (NΦ)

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.5 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Cop 640; BMC Pontus p. 210, 8; Rec Gen II.3 p. 225, 26; SNGvA 256 var. (monogram); HGC 7 629; SGCV II 7266
Greek (Kingdom of Bithynia)
(25) Septimius Severus
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An AE unit struck 193-211 AD in Chalcedon
Obverse: draped and cuirassed bust right; AY K Λ CEΠ CEY(HP)OC Π

Reverse: Apollo holding patera and branch; KAΛXAΔO_NIΩN

Diameter: 27 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.65 g
Other coin (probably die match) was sold at CNG 88, Lot: 847 attributed as apparently unique.
obverse: SNG von Aulock 496, otherwise unpublished
Roman Provincial (Severan Period)
(26) Septimius Severus
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An AE unit struck 193-211 AD in Nicaea
Obverse: laureate head right; AV K Λ CEΠ_CEV(HP)OC ΠE

Reverse: eagle with wreath standing on fulmen between standsards; NIK_AI_EΩN

Diameter: 24 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.84 g
No notes for this coin
apparently unique - not in Rec Gen, Corsten, BMC, SNG von Aulock, SNG Cop, SNG Leypold, SNG Righetti, SNG Lewis, Lindgren I&III, Hunterian, all of the SNG Turkeys, Waddington
Roman Provincial (Severan Period)
(27) Severus Alexander
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An AE unit struck 222-235 AD in Nicaea
Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right from back; M AVP CEV AΛEZANΔPOC A(VΓ)

Reverse: three standards (○I●I●I); NI-K-AI-E / ΩN

Diameter: 18.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.14 g
No notes for this coin
RPC VI, 3202 (temporary); cf. Rec Gén II p. 477, 617; BMC Pontus p. 168, 101; SNG Cop 520; SNG Tüb 2122; SNGvA 623; SGICV 3287
Roman Provincial (Severan Period)
(28) Valens
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An AU Solidus struck 369 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: DN VALENS P F AVG, Bust of Valens facing right, wearing pearl diadem, cuirass, and drapery

Reverse: GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinople facing each other, each holding a scepter and together holding a shield inscribed VOT V MVLT X; SMNI in exergue

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 4.06 g
var is officina, 13b.2 is theta
RIC IX 13b.2 var.
Roman Imperial (Late Roman Empire)
(29) Valentinian I
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An AE Double Maiorina struck 367-375 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: DN VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, Bust of Valentinian facing right, wearing pearl diadem, cuirass, and drapery

Reverse: RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, Valentinian standing, looking right, in military dress, holding labarum and Victory on globe; SMNA in exergue

Diameter: 27 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 8.65 g
No notes for this coin
RIC IX 7a
Roman Imperial (Late Roman Empire)
(30) Valentinian II
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An AE Centenionalis struck 378-383 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: pearl-didemed, draped and cuirassed bust right; D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG

Reverse: Roma seated facing, head left, wearing helmet, holding globe and spear; CONCOR_DIA AVGGG / SMNB

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3 g
9.8.378 - 25.8.383 AD
RIC IX Nicomedia 30b; Sear 20299
Roman Imperial (Late Roman Empire)