Mesopotamia. Mazaces, c.331-322 BC. AR tetradrachm.
Imitating Athens. Head of Athena right, wearing hoop earring and
Attic helmet decorated with three laurel leaves and vine scroll /
MZDK (Aramaic), owl standing right, head facing; olive spray
and crescent behind, symbol of Mazaces to right. Mitchiner I-G,
type 12. Mitchiner ACW 126-127.
Rare
type with a test cut. Test cuts are very common on these coins. The
portrait of Athena is a fun and quirky style. NGC graded Choice VF, 4/5
strike, 2/5 surface, test cut, overstruck.
Mazakes is best known as the Persian satrap who
took over Egypt after Sabakes fell in battle against Alexander the
Great's army at the Granicus, and later handed over the province
peacefully to the Macedonian king. Based off these coins, he was sent by Alexander III to be the satrap of Mesopotamia.
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