Kings of Bithynia, Nikomedes I AR Tetradrachm. Nikomedia, circa 265-255 BC. Diademed head to right / Artemis-Bendis seated to left on rock, holding two spears and heavy sword in scabbard, round shield with rings or rivets resting by side; in background, stump of tree with spoils of war; [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, [Ν]ΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ to left, monograms in inner left field and exergue. De Luynes 2421 var. (monograms - same obv. die) = RG, pl. XXIX, 1 = EHC 414; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. HGC 7, 606; Roma XXV, 335 and following lot (same dies). 16.75g, 29mm, 2h.

Extremely Fine; cleaning marks, lightly smoothed in areas, but boasting a deep cabinet tone and a bold portrait of Nikomedes, struck in marvellous Hellenistic style by a master engraver. Exceedingly Rare; unpublished with these monograms, only two examples have come to auction in the last two decades.

From a private UK collection.

Nikomedes I was the second king of the independent kingdom of Bithynia, succeeding his father, Zipoetes I, in 278 BC. He began his reign in ruthless fashion by executing two of his three brothers. The third was able to escape, however, and rapidly went about raising a insurrection. This brother, known to us as Zipoetes II, succeeded in making himself sovereign master of a considerable portion of the kingdom. In response to this, in 277, Nikomedes forged an alliance with the marauding Celts, led by Leonnorius, who were at that time based in Thrace and had recently besieged Byzantion. After assisting them in crossing the Bosporos, which led to them eventually populating the region that came to be known as Galatia, Nikomedes then engaged many of these Celts as auxiliaries. His army greatly bolstered with capable and battle-hardened warriors, Nikomedes was able to swiftly defeat his brother Zipoetes II and reunite the kingdom (Justinus, ‘Epitome of Pompeius Trogus’, XXV.2).

A philhellene ruler of immense energy, ambition, skill, and cunning, Nikomedes greatly expanded his previously landlocked kingdom during his reign (278-255), and is principally remembered today for his founding of Nikomedia, which prospered as one of the most affluent cities in Asia Minor for over six centuries.