LESBOS. Mytilene. Circa 377-326 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10 mm, 2.50 g, 12 h), circa 333-326. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin, within linear square. Bodenstedt 103. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock 1711. Very rare. Die rust on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.


Mytilene, like all of Lesbos, had close ties to the Macedonian kings and was part of the Anti-Persian alliance formed by Philip II and Alexander the Great. The Persians conquered the city in 333 BC but were expelled soon thereafter - this is when our coin, which obviously copies the Tetradrachms of Philip and Alexander, was most likely issued.