IONIA. Achaemenid Period. Spithridates. Satrap of Sparda (Lydia and Ionia), circa 334 B.C. Æ chalkous. 1.31 gm. 11 mm. Head of Spithridates right, wearing Persian headdress / Forepart of horse right, monogram to upper left; ΣΠ-I. SNG von Aulock 1823. SNG Copenhagen 1538. Winzer 19.4. Klein 367. Good Very Fine; dark green patina with light earthen deposits; fine style, with a great portrait.

Arrian of Nicomedia, a Greek historian and philosopher of the Roman period, in his "Anabasis of Alexander" (considered the best source on the campaigns of Alexander the Great) claims that Spithridates died in the Battle of Granikos in 334 B.C. after Kleitos cut his arm off to stop him shooting Alexander the Great in the back with an arrow.