LESBOS. Mytilene. Circa 430-400 BC. Drachm (Silver, 15 mm, 4.08 g, 2 h). Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΜΥΤ-ΙΛΗ-Ν-ΑΟΝ Head of Sappho (the nymph Mytilene?) to left, wearing a sphendone with a double band across the top of her head, and with two broad curls of hair over her forehead. Babelon II, 2, 2236 and pl. CLXII, 8. BMFA 1667 ( same dies ). Of great rarity, the third known example. A coin of fine Classical style, nicely centered and toned. Minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Property of a Late Collector, ex Bank Leu 45, 26 May 1988, 211.

This remarkable drachm must have issued at around the same time as the famous, and unique, electrum stater from Mytilene now in the British Museum (ACGC, pp. 266-267 and pl. 56, 982); the head of Apollo that appears on that coin is quite similar to the one here. The London coin has been associated with the revolt against Athens in 427. The identification of the female head on the reverse with Sappho, the island's most famous figure, is not certain, but more than likely, especially with the curls along her forehead, which were a sapphic characteristic.