v51_0186 - EOLIA - ISOLA DI LESBOS - MITILENA Hecté d’électrum

AIOLIS - LESBOS ISLAND - MYTILENE

(5th - 4th century BC)

The island of Lesbos is located opposite the western coast of Asia Minor, at the entrance to the Gulf of Adramyteion at the mouth of the Hellespont. Mytilene, located on the eastern part of the island facing the mainland, was the main city. Its important electrum coinage would begin at the end of the 6th century or in the first years of the 5th century BC. The standard used is the phocaic with a stater of approximately 16.32 g. This electrum coinage ceased after the arrival of Alexander the Great in Asia Minor around 330 BC..