IONIA. Achaemenid Period. Spithridates, satrap of Lydia and Ionia, circa 334 BC. Diobol (Silver, 11 mm, 1.18 g, 11 h). Head of Spithridates to right, wearing Satrapal headdress. Rev. ΣΠ-I Forepart of a horse to right; above, monogram. CNG 72 (2006), 717 (same dies). Cf. SNG Copenhagen 1538 and SNG von Aulock 1823 (bronze). Of the highest rarity, one of perhaps only two known examples. A number of scratches and marks, especially on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.

Arrian reports that Spithridates, who followed his father Rhosakes as the Persian satrap of Lydia and Ionia, died in the Battle of Granikos in 334 BC after Kleitos cut his arm off to keep him from shooting Alexander in the back with an arrow amidst the battle