Nicopolis ad Istrum - Horseman





Province Moesia Inferior
City Nicopolis ad Istrum
Size (mm) 26
Weight (g) 12.10
Die Axis 10
Tariff 4 assaria
Governor Statius Longinus
Ob. Leg. K M OPELLI DIADOVMENIANOC
Ob. Desc. Bare headed, draped & cuirassed bust right
Meaning Caesar, Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus
Rev. Leg. VΠ CTA ΛONΓINOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC I
Rev. Desc. Emperor in military dress with spear in the raised on horseback right, cape waving behind, kneeling captive below.
Meaning Consular legate Statius Longinus , (Governor) of the residents of Nikopolis on the (river) Istrus – The emperor is victorious in battle
References; Collection; Moushmov 1334, Pick, AMNG I, 1, p. 472, no. 1870; Varbanov I Bul., p. 211, no. 2915
Notes: This reverse type is a common depiction of the emperor vanquishing his enemies, generally issued after such a military victory. The type undoubtedly borrows from the imperatorial equestrian statue, the only surviving contempory example is one of Marcus Aurelius (which Michelangelo placed in the centre of the Campidoglio).