Mytilene (AD 139-161) AE 24 - Sextus Nicomachus & Flavia Nicomachis

Sextus Nicomachus and Flavia Nicomachis, ca AD 139-161. AE24 (5.36g, 6h). CEΞCTON HPΩA, draped bust of Sextus right / ΦΛA NEIKO-MACIC MVTIΛH, draped bust of Flavia Nichomachis right. VF, brown surfaces. Very rare.

Mytilene issued a rare series of bronzes honoring several distinguished local citizens. While another shows Julia Procula (see CNG 72, lot 1161), probably the mother of Flavia Nicomachis, this coin depicts Flavia Nicomachis herself, as well as her father Sextus Nicomachus. An inscription from Mytilene, naming both Procula and Nicomachis, lists them as benefactors of the city. Based on the portrait styles of these individuals, this coin is dated to the reign of Antoninus Pius.