Kyzikos (BC 398-395) Tetradrachm - Pharnabazos

Pharnabazos, Persian Satrap and military commander, ca 398-396/5 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 14.67g, 2h). ΦAR-N-[A]-BA, head of Pharnabazos right, weaing satrapal cap tied below his chin, and diadem / Ornate ship’s prow left, decorated with a griffin and prophylactic eye; before and aft, two dolphins downward; below, tunny left. Good VF, toned, slightly granular surface. Very rare, Maffre located thirteen extant examples, eight of which are in museum collections. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 69 (11/1994), lot 276a.

Struck during the period of warfare between Spartans and Persians, this issue commenced after Pharnabazos received the responsibility for the management of the Achaemenid navy in 398 BC, and ended with the temporary closure of the mint in 396 BC due to the Spartan presence in the area. Maffre's die study suggests that, although only 13 examples are known today, the coinage was quite massive and instrumental in facilitating Pharnabazos' naval success that culminated in the Battle of Knidos.