LESBOS. Mytilene. Circa 377-326 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10 mm, 2.54 g, 12 h), circa 333-326. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress, within linear square. Bodenstedt 103. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock 1711. Very rare. The obverse struck from a somewhat worn die, 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'. Persian forces conquered the city in 333 BC but were expelled soon thereafter - this is when our coin, which so obviously copies the Tetradrachms of Philip II and Alexander, was most likely issued.