Magnesia ad Maeandrum, Ionia. Themistokles. Circa 
465-459 BC. AR Hemiobol 0.36 g. 

Head of Hephaistos right, wearing laureate pileus.
QE monogram within incuse square. 

Image from Auktion Aufhäuser 12, lot 179 (1996); Nolle, Anfänge, 12, note 36; Nollé & Wenninger Th3a

Themistokles was an important and powerful, political 
figures in early 4th century BC Athens. Sometime in the early 460s BC, Themistokles had to flee to Asia Minor, where 
he was well received by the Persian king, who granted him 
the income of three Ionian cities. Themistokles chose Magnesia on the Maeander as his new headquarters, where 
these coins were struck.