Notae Numismaticae - Zapiski Numizmatyczne (14.2019)

BARBARA ZAJĄC

134

during the reign of Domitian, this same image was used on larger denominations.
The figure of Mars advancing with a tropaeum and spear appeared on sestertii issued
between 80 and 82; it also appeared on the coins of Nicaea, Nicomedia, and Prusias
ad Hypium during the time of Domitian’2 and on the coins of Nicaea, Juliopolis,
and Amastris during the reign of Trajan.72 73 The same motive was also used on larger
denominations. The personification of Spes present on imperial sestertii was used on
coins from Nicaea during the reign of Domitian74 and then on coins from Amastris
and Abonoteichos during the reign of Trajan.75 It is probably the case that issues with
this representation but without an ethnicon should also be assigned to Amastris.76 77 All
the coins with the personification of Elpis were struck in a larger denomination. On
the reverse of one series of dupondii, issued between 80 and 82, we can see Roma
holding a wreath; on another, we can see Ceres with com ears and a long sceptre.
Asses were also struck with the personification of Ceres. During the reign of Domitian,
the motive of Roma was used on coins in Nicaea, while Demeter was used on coins
in Nicaea, Prusias ad Hypium and Bithynium Claudiopolis.” The coins without
an ethnicon should probably be assigned to Prusias. Nearly all the centers issued
denominations similar to imperial coins. Only the mint in Bithynium Claudiopolis
struck a smaller denomination with the image of Demeter (24 mm, 7-9 g). In the age
of Trajan, the centres of Bithynia and Pontus did not use Roma on their coins;
however, the personification of Demeter, being one of the universal cults, can be seen
on the coins of Prusa ad Olympum, Juliopolis, Amastris, and Abonoteichos.78 Many
coins without an ethnicon were also struck with the personification of the goddess
of the harvest; most likely, they came out of the mints in Nicaea and Prusias.79 In
comparison to an earlier period, this motive had already been used on three different
coins. With respect to the metrological values, it was the coins that were struck in
Juliopolis, Amastris, as well as Nicaea and/or Prusias that were the most similar
to imperial coins.80 Dupondii issued between 80 and 82 also showed the image of
Victoria holding a shield, while asses showed a wreath and palm. Both of these
motives can be found on the coins of Bithynia and Pontus that were struck during

72 Nicaea RPC II 632; Nicomedia RPC II 653; Prusias ad Hypium RPC II 671.
73 Nicaea RPC III 1059; Juliopolis RPC III 1098; Amastris RPC III 1198.
74 Nicaea RPC II 634.
75 Amastris RPC III 1199; Abonoteichos RPC III 1211.
76 AMANDRY, BURNETT et AL 2015: 136; ZAJĄC 2019: 43 44.
77 Nicaea RPC II 636; Prusias ad Hypium RPC II 673—674; Bithynium Claudiopolis RPC II 694—695.
78 Prusa ad Olympum RPC III 1038; Juliopolis RPC III 1100; Amastris RPC III 1201-1202; Abonoteichos
RPC III 1213.
79 ZAJĄC 2019: 42-48.
80 With respect to metrological values, the similarity is to a Roman as: Juliopolis RPC III; Amastris RPC III
1201-1202; uncertain mint (perhaps Nicaea and/or Prusias) RPC III 1128, 1132, 1133, 1137.