PONTOS. Neocaesarea. Geta.(209-211). Ae.

Obv : Π CEΠ ΓETAC KAIC.
Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Rev : KOI ΠON NEOKAIC MHTPO / ET PMR.
Tetrastyle temple with pellet in pedimenti, enclosing statue on column.
Cf. RG 35.

Condition : The coin is in fair condition with a greenish-brown patina. There is noticeable wear on both sides, but the main details and inscriptions are still visible. The patina adds an aged appearance.Good very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 12.45 gr
Diameter : 29 mm

Pontus, located on the southern coast of the Black Sea, was an ancient and strategically significant region in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). During the Roman Empire, it was a key area due to its fertile lands, access to the Black Sea, and its position along important trade routes. One of the notable cities in Pontus during the Roman period was Neocaesarea (modern Niksar).Before becoming Neocaesarea, the city was known as Cabira (or Kabeira) and played a critical role in the Kingdom of Pontus, particularly under the rule of Mithridates VI Eupator. Mithridates VI, known for his resistance against the Roman Republic in the Mithridatic Wars (88-63 BCE), used Cabira as one of his main residences and a key fortress. It was in this region that Mithridates fought against the Roman general Pompey, eventually leading to the defeat of his kingdom and its annexation into the Roman Empire.Following the Roman victory, the city was renamed Neocaesarea (meaning "New Caesarea") in honor of the Roman emperors, especially Augustus. This renaming marked the beginning of the city's integration into the Roman world, shifting from its Hellenistic roots to a new era of Roman influence and administration.Under Roman rule, Neocaesarea became one of the most important cities in the province of Pontus Polemoniacus, a subdivision of the Roman province Bithynia et Pontus. The city was chosen as the administrative center of Pontus Polemoniacus, reflecting its strategic importance. The region's fertile lands and position along the Iris River (modern Yeşilırmak) made Neocaesarea a key site for trade, agriculture, and military logistics.

The city benefited from Roman urban planning and infrastructure improvements. Like many Roman cities, Neocaesarea likely featured well-paved roads, public baths, temples, and other facilities typical of Roman towns. The Romans brought stability and prosperity, which contributed to the growth of the city's economy and population.Neocaesarea also became known for minting its own coins during the Roman period. These coins often depicted the reigning emperor and were symbols of the city’s loyalty to the Roman state. Local deities and symbols were sometimes included, showing the blend of Roman and local Pontic traditions.Much of what is known about Neocaesarea during the Roman period comes from archaeological and numismatic evidence. Coins minted in the city provide valuable insights into its economic and political status within the Roman Empire. These coins often depicted Roman emperors, local deities, and symbols of the city’s allegiance to Rome.Excavations in and around modern Niksar, where ancient Neocaesarea was located, have revealed remnants of Roman roads, public buildings, and fortifications, all of which point to the city's Romanization and its importance within the empire.Neocaesarea was an essential city in the Roman province of Pontus, serving as a major administrative, military, and religious center. Its transformation from a royal residence of Mithridates VI to a thriving Roman city demonstrates the lasting influence of Roman governance and culture in the region. Furthermore, its role in the spread of Christianity, particularly through the work of Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus, cemented Neocaesarea’s legacy as a significant site in both Roman and Christian history.Today, the legacy of Roman Neocaesarea lives on through its historical significance and the archaeological remnants that continue to be unearthed in modern-day Niksar.