Lesbos. Mytilene circa 521-478 BC.
Sixth Stater or Hekte EL

11 mm, 2,58 g

Head of roaring lion right / Incuse head of calf left; rectangular punch to right.

Extremely Fine

Bodenstedt 12; HGC 6, 937.

From a southern German private collection; Ex Münzen & Medaillen Auction 44, Lot 52; Ex Künker Auction 182, Lot 274. The early coinage of Mytilene, an ancient city located on the island of Lesbos in present-day Greece, holds significant numismatic importance. One notable aspect of Mytilene's coinage is its early adoption of coinage as a means of economic and political expression. During the Archaic period (circa 7th to 6th centuries BC), Mytilene was one of the earliest Greek cities to mint its own coins. These early coins were typically made of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, and they often featured designs that reflected the city's maritime heritage and commercial activities. One particularly important series of coins issued by Mytilene during this period are known as the "Lion-Head" coins. These coins featured a lion's head and an incuse square or animal on the reverse. The lion symbolized strength and power, while the incusum was a characteristic feature of early Greek coinage. These "Lion-Head" coins of Mytilene are significant not only for their historical and artistic value but also for their influence on subsequent coinage in the region. The design elements seen on these early coins of Mytilene, such as the depiction of animals and the use of incuse punches, became widespread motifs in the coinage of other Greek city-states. Furthermore, the issuance of coins by Mytilene contributed to the city's economic prosperity and facilitated its participation in long-distance trade networks across the Mediterranean. The availability of Mytilenean coins in archaeological contexts attests to the city's importance as a commercial and cultural center in the ancient world.