MYSIA, Kyzikos. Pharnabazos. Persian military commander, circa 398-396/5 BC. AR Drachm (13.5mm, 3.39 g, 3h). VF.

Electronic Auction 562
Lot: 90. Estimated: $ 300
Closing Date: May 15 2024 10:00 ET

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Pharnabazos. Persian military commander, circa 398-396/5 BC. AR Drachm (13.5mm, 3.39 g, 3h). Head of Pharnabazos right, wearing satrapal cap tied below his chin, and diadem / Ornate ship’s prow left; two dolphins flanking; below, tunny left; all within shallow incuse circle. Maffre 1–5 var. (unlisted die); Winzer 9.4; SNG BN –; SNG Copenhagen Supp. 303. Rough find patina. VF. Very rare.

Pharnabazos, a member of the Persian nobility, was satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, which later became the satrapy of Daskylion. In 399 BC, a war between Sparta and Persia ensued. Agesilaos, one of the Spartan kings, attacked the satrapy of Hellespontine Phrygia. Though hard pressed by the Spartan invasion of his territory, Pharnabazos was able to organize the Persian fleet under the command of the mercenaries Konon of Athens and Evagoras of Salamis, and destroy the Spartan fleet at Knidos in 394 BC. At the same time, he assisted Athens with financial aid to further undermine the Spartans. The land campaign, however, was less successful and the war dragged on. The arrival of a Spartan delegation at the Persian capital resulted in a peace treaty and, contrary to the wishes of Pharnabazos, a renewed alliance. For all of his work, Pharnabazos was recalled from his satrapy and married to the king's daughter, Apame.

This exceptional coinage of Kyzikos was struck during this period of warfare between the Spartans and Persians. The issue commenced after Pharnabazos received the responsibility for the management of the Achaemenid navy in 398 BC, and ended with the temporary closure of the mint in 396 BC due to the Spartan presence in the area. Maffre's die study suggests that, although few examples of the coins are known today, the coinage was quite massive. Echoing the earlier observations of G. Le Rider and O. Casabonne, Maffre discounts the temptation of earlier numismatists to assign the coinage to a special emission commemorating a specific naval victory. Instead, the sheer size of the emission suggests that the issue was likely used to finance Pharnabazos' navy in general –- not only the construction and maintenance of hundreds of ships, but also the service of thousands of men. While the coinage did not commemorate a particular naval victory, it was instrumental in facilitating Pharnabazos' naval success that culminated in the Battle of Knidos.

Closing Date and Time: 15 May 2024 at 10:29:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.