LYCIA, Dynasts of

Mithrapata (390-370 BC)

AR Sixth Stater (Diobol). 1.38g, 13.6mm MINTED: LYCIA, Uncertain mint, circa 390-370 BC REF: SNG Cop 27; Müseler VII 83; Traité II 457 OBVERSE: Lion scalp facing.

REVERSE: Triskeles; astragalos in one section, legend around; all within incuse square.

Grade/Notes:

Fine/Very Fine.

Historical Notes:

Lycia was a mountainous region in southwestern Anatolia (present day Turkey).  During the reign of Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC), Lycia came under the control of the Persian Empire.  The Lycians were given much autonomy by the Persians, and fought on their side during the Greco-Persian Wars (499-449 BC).   Mithrapata was a dynast, or local ruler, who ruled part of Lycia around 390-370 BC as a subject of Artaxerxes II of Persia (404-358 BC).