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LM42141

Nikomedes IV Philopator, 94-74 BC, silver Tetradrachm, Nikomedeia

Regular price £1,250
Regular price Sale price £1,250

Kings of Bithynia, Nikomedes IV Philopator (94-74 BC), silver Tetradrachm, Nikomedeia mint, diademed head right, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, Zeus Stephanophoros standing left holding wreath; to inner left, eagle standing left on thunderbolt above monogram and ZΣ (date), 16.42g (HGC 7, 646). About Extremely Fine with a weaker obverse die and on a broad flan.

Nicomedes IV was King of Bithynia from 94 to 74 BC and was the last king of the Bithynian kingdom. His reign was dominated by conflict with his brother, Socrates Chrestus, who challenged his claim to the throne with support from Mithridates VI of Pontus. Nicomedes sought help from Rome, which helped him regain his position and increased Roman influence over Bithynia. He later became an ally of Rome and supported the Romans during their conflicts with Mithridates VI. When Nicomedes IV died in 74 BC, he left his kingdom to the Roman Republic in his will. This allowed Rome to annex Bithynia and turn it into a Roman province, significantly expanding Roman control in Asia Minor. His decision to leave Bithynia to Rome was therefore an important step in the growth of Roman power in the eastern Mediterranean.

The reverse legend translates to "Of King Nicomedes the Manifest".

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