Laodikeia (AD 218-225) AE 30 - Julia Maesa

Julia Maesa, 218-224/5 AD. AE30 (12.67g). IOVΛIA MAICA CЄ, draped bust to right / ΛAOΔIKЄΩN NЄΩKOPΩN ΔOΓMA/TI CVNKΛHTOV, Roma seated to left, holding Victory in right and leaning on shield with left. Very rare. VF. Ex Peus 382 (4/2005), lot 630.

The reverse legend makes this a very interesting coin. It is best translated to: "[Coin] of the Laodiceans. By decree of the [Roman] Senate holder of a Neocorate." The Neocorate was a honorary title granted to cities that had established a cult for a Roman emperor. It is as such very common, but to our knowledge Laodikeia is the only mint to explicitly mention the Senate decree on its coins that preceded the honorary title. The Polis consequently rewarded the honor by chosing Roma as a reverse type.