LESBOS. Mytilene. Circa 377-326 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10 mm, 2.50 g, 12 h), circa 333-326. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin, within linear square. Bodenstedt 103. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock 1711. Very rare. Die rust on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
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. The Persians conquered the city in 333 BC but were expelled soon thereafter - this is when our coin, which obviously copies the Tetradrachms of Philip and Alexander, was most likely issued.