170, Lot: 105. Estimate $200. Sold for $321. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Tarsos. Pharnabazos. Persian military commander, 380-374/3 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.64 g). Struck circa 380-379 BC. Three-quarter facing female head, head turned slightly left; small dolphin left / Bearded male head right wearing Athenian helmet. Casabonne Type 3; Moysey Issue 3, pl. 1, 5; SNG France -; SNG Copenhagen 266. VF, toned, some striking weakness.

The female head is adapted from the Arethusa head on tetradrachms of Syracuse, a most curious use of the type. Pharnbazos, along with other Persian satraps, were deeply involved in the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens, generally supporting Sparta. As part of their joint effort to obstruct Athenian war efforts, Pharnabazos provided the funds for ships and mercenaries to back the exiled Syracusan strategos Hermokrates in his attempt to regain control of the city. The attempt failed, and Hermokrates died in 407 BC, but some Syracusan influence (and money) must have made its way back to the east. The Cilician coinage of Pharnabazos was struck near the end of his varied career, when he was involved in several campaigns to seize Egypt. He disappears from history after the failed campaign of 373 BC.