BITHYNIA. Nicaea. Valerian I, 253-260. Diassarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 5.18 g, 12 h). Π Λ KOP OYAΛEPIANOC C Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian to right. Rev. IΠAPXOC NIKAEΩN Hipparchus the Astronomer seated to left; at his left, globe set on a small column. BMC -. RG -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock 717. Rough brown surfaces. Very fine.

Hipparchos was a famous Greek astronomer and mathematician, born in Nicaea, and died after 127 BC on the island of Rhodes, where he carried out his research and spent probably most of his life. He was considered one of the greatest astronomers of ancient Greece but unfortunately most of his work, with the exception of one book, is lost, and only very fragmentarily known through indirect sources.