Lot 3314

Description

Bithynia, Kingdom of, Nicomedes III, (128-94 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.694 grams), issued year 201 = 97-96 B.C., obv. head of Nicomedes II to right, with diadem, rev. Zeus standing to left, holding wreath and sceptre, eagle on thunderbolt to left, before Zeus monogram of TXYN, to right **BASILEW[S]* to left **EPIFANOUS NIKOMHDO[U]*, below date A**S* (207), (S.7274, cf.BMC 16 [year 200, p.214, cf.Pl.XXXIX,3], cf.SNG von Aulock 264 [year 200]). Dark even cabinet toning, two minor reverse scratches, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare date.

Ex Patrick Cooper Collection and previously from Spink & Son, London in 1959 with old tickets. From the reign of Nicomedes II the regal tetradrachms of Bithynia bear dates according to an era commencing in 298 B.C., those of this reign range from years 171-204. De Callatay in his extensive study of this series knew of only five examples of this date with two different sets oif symbols (three known for the symbols of this coin).