Lot 4650

Description

Bithynia, Kingdom of, Nicomedes III, (128-94 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.30 g), issued year 190 = 108-107 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, to right **BASILEWS* to left **EPIFANOUS NIKOMHDOU*, below date qp (190), (S.7274, Waddington p.231, De Callatay D.91, cf.SNG von Aulock 264 [year 200]). Dark even cabinet toning, several minor reverse marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a rare date.

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 of symbols (three known for the symbols of this coin).