CILICIA, Tarsos. Pharnabazos. Persian military commander, 380-374/3 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.56 g, 6h). Struck circa 380-379 BC. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 466. Estimated: $ 750

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CILICIA, Tarsos. Pharnabazos. Persian military commander, 380-374/3 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.56 g, 6h). Struck circa 380-379 BC. Baal of Tarsos seated left, holding lotus-tipped scepter / Helmeted and bearded male head (Ares?) left. Casabonne Series 4; Moysey Issue 2; SNG BN 252. Toned, underlying luster, a few minor flan flaws on obverse, small scrape on edge. Good VF.

Ex Chaponnière & Firmenich 14 (20 November 2021), lot 25.

Pharnabazos was a member of the Persian nobility with close connections to the Persian king and satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia. In 399 BC, war broke out between Sparta and Persia, and Agesilaus, one of the Spartan kings, attacked his satrapy. Pharnabazos was able to destroy the Spartan fleet at Knidos in 394 BC, but the land campaign 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. The weakness of Persia during this period prompted Egypt to declare its independence. Two successive attempts by the Persians to recover Egypt were unsuccessful, and Pharnabazos was one of the many Persian commanders in the second of these, in 380 BC. In 377, the Persians prepared to attack again; this time with Pharnabazos as sole commander. Moysey connects this issue of coinage with this military venture. Gathering a large navy at Akko and reinforcing his army with Greek mercenaries, Pharnabazos tried to take the Egyptian capital at Memphis. A disagreement between himself and the Greek commander, Iphicrates, caused the Persians to bog down in the Delta and the recovery of Egypt once again failed. The ultimate fate of Pharnabazos is unknown, as he disappears from the historical record thereafter.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Two – Lot 319-587 will be held Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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