Roman Provincial Coinage – a mirror of the urban landscape. The case of Nikopolis ad Istrum

Abstract

The Roman Provincial Coinage provides one of the most complex sources of information regarding ancient cities. In conjunction with archaeological surveys and epigraphic data, it can offer essential insights into the reconstruction of the landscape of the minting city. This is also the case of Nikopolis ad Istrum, founded by Trajan to commemorate his victory over the Dacians. It exhibited a complex urban organization that is primarily reflected in the archaeological discoveries. Numerous architectural elements (gates, temples) are present in the local coin emissions, particularly from the reign of Septimius Severus (193-211 AD) when Nikopolis ad Istrum and other cities of Moesia Inferior experienced an explosion of monetary types. There are also several examples of buildings, such as the nymphaeum, that have yet to be discovered but appear on the coins of the city. This presentation will offer a virtual visit to Nikopolis ad Istrum through the lens of its provincial coinage from the end of the 2nd century to the 3rd century AD.