Obolos 16

PONTUS. Neocaesarea. Volusian, 251-253. (Bronze, 31 mm, 16.53 g, 1 h), CY 188 (251/2). AYT · K · OYO-ΛOYCCIANOC · CЄB · Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Volusian to right. Rev. PΩ-(MH) / PΠ-Η Roma seated left , round shield at her side, holding Nike in outstretched right hand, spear in left . Çizmeli 406 (D1/R2). Lindgren & Kovacs A47B (same obv. die). RG 129, 63c, pl. suppl. L, 2 (same obv. die). RPC 1240. Black patina. Very fine.

The worship of Roma was, as one would expect, widespread throughout the Roman Empire. In the cities of the Greek east, her cult signified Rome's status as a loyal protector of Hellenic city-states. Her first appearance in the east was at Smyrna, where her cult was established in 195 BC, probably to mark Rome's successful alliance with that city in opposition to the Seleukids under Antiochos III. She is not commonly depicted on provincial coins, and when she does appear it is usually just her helmeted bust on some autonomous issues of Asia Minor, with two exceptions: certain tetradrachms from Roman Alexandria, and on several mid-3rd century issues from Neocaesarea in Pontus, as here.