Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 100. Estimate CHF3000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF3400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Mytilene. Circa 377-326 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.60 g 12). Head of Athena to right, wearing Attic helmet with crest Rev. Owl standing to right, head turned to face the viewer; all within linear square. Bodenstedt 105. SNG Copenhagen 315. Rare. Nearly extremely fine.

Bodenstedt believed this was the last issue of Mytilene, struck in the early 320s. The types are clearly those of Athens, though Athena’s helmet lacks the olive leaves and other decoration that appear on Athenian issues. Curiously enough, this issue is usually found struck rather shoddily, often from rusty dies. The present coin is one of the nicest known.