BITHYNIA, Nicaea. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ Tetrassarion (24.5mm, 8.77 g, 1h). Homonoia with Byzantium. VF.

Electronic Auction 589
Lot: 351. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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BITHYNIA, Nicaea. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ Tetrassarion (24.5mm, 8.77 g, 1h). Homonoia with Byzantium. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Two fish traps; between, lighted altar. RG –; Schönert-Geiss, Byzantion 1851 (V9/R13); Franke-Nollé 135-7 (VsA/Rs6, Byzantium); RPC X Online 63873; Varbanov 1993 (Byzantium). Earthen brown patina. VF. Very rare, especially with complete obverse legend. Reattributed to Nicaea.

Traditionally, this type has been attributed to Byzantium since that city’s name precedes that of Nicaea on the coin. Each of the references above catalogue the type as a Homonoia issue having been struck in Byzantium. However, this obverse die has been matched with several types paired with Nicaean reverse types, proving that the coin must have been struck in Nicaea. Additional evidence, such as find spots and denomnational countermarks on some specimens, prove circulation in Nicaea and not Byzantium.

The other coins in the Homonoia series between Byzantium and Nicaea were struck by Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian under the magistrates Beroneike and Isaurikos. These must have been struck in Byzantium because Isaurikos struck two issues in his own name in the city during their rule and none in Nicaea. It is unknown why this final issue was moved to Nicaea under Valerian I.

Closing Date and Time: 18 June 2025 at 11:56:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.