Nomos 38

KINGS OF BITHYNIA. Prusias II Cynegos, 182-149 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 33 mm, 17.09 g, 1 h), Nikomedeia. Head of Prusias II to right, wearing a winged diadem. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY Zeus standing to left, half draped, crowning the king's name with an olive wreath held in his right hand and holding a long scepter with his left; in the inner field to left, eagle standing to left on a thunderbolt over two monograms. De Hirsch 1348 = RG 10b.8. SNG von Aulock 254 (this obverse die, but different controls). Extremely rare and in exceptional condition. Bold and highly attractive portrait. Nearly extremely fine.

From a German collection, ex Herakles 2, 3 March 2025, 20 (9000€).

Prusias II Cynegos - the hunter - was a ruthless and hedonistic king who began a very unsuccessful war with Pergamon; resulting in severe reparations. His death was the result of a failed attempt at killing his heir Nikomedes (his son by his first wife, Apame, Perseus of Macedon's sister) in order to leave the throne to his children from a later wife. Instead, Nikomedes II forced his father to abdicate, and then, in turn, had him killed.