MOESIA INFERIOR, Nicopolis ad Istrum. 1st-3rd century AD. Æ Tessera (1/4 assarion?) (12.5mm, 0.78 g, 6h). Good VF.

Electronic Auction 607
Lot: 406. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MOESIA INFERIOR, Nicopolis ad Istrum. 1st-3rd century AD. Æ Tessera (1/4 assarion?) (12.5mm, 0.78 g, 6h). Palm frond within laurel wreath / Three stars above crescent moon. HH&J Nikopolis 8.(?)0.48.34. Dark green patina, pierced and filled. Good VF. Extremely rare, finer than the three recorded in CoinArchives, superior to the HH&J plate coin.

This series of tesserae, bearing depictions of various deities on the obverse inevitably paired with a star and crescent reverse, is very tentatively attributed to Nicopolis ad Istrum based on similarities with the coinage of that city. At the very least, the series appears to originate somewhere in Thrace or Moesia. As every known example has been pierced, they most likely served a decorative function, rather than any distributive or monetary role.

Closing Date and Time: 15 April 2026 at 12:15:00 ET.

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