Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B71

ca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g, 10mm, 6h). Head of Athena facing right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Long bearded head of Pharnabazos facing right wearing Persian headdress with ends falling behind neck, within linear frame within incuse square. Good VF, well centred, long bearded variety of this emission. Carr coll.

Bodenstedt notes 13 examples, a further 17th examples have appeared in auctions including this coin. A very sought after emission in this series for its historical importance. The reverse depicts Pharnabazos who played a significant role in the Peloponnesian War, providing Persian military and financial support to Sparta. In BC 399, when Sparta turned on its former ally and invaded Persia, Pharnabazos organised the Persian fleet and with the assistance of the Athenian Conon and Evagoras of Salamis, fought a decisive sea-battle in BC 394 near Knidos, completely destroying the Spartan fleet. Pharnabazos was the hereditary satrap of Phrygia and his granddaughter, Apame (Apama), married Seleukos and thus is said to be the founding Queen of the Seleukid Empire.