nomos . . . . . . auction I, zurich 6 may 2009
LUCANIA
7
7. Velia. Circa 535-465 BC. Drachm (Silver, 3.71 g). Forepart of lion to right, gnawing on stag’s leg Rev. Irregular incuse square. Dewing 451. HN III 1259. SNG Delepierre 399. Williams 21. Well struck and unusually well centered with all the design visible. Minor flan flaw on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. 2750
3:1
Velia was founded by Phokaians in circa 540. Their earliest coins were unlike anything found in contemporary Magna Graecia; rather, they harked back to the issues of Asia Minor with these pieces looking very much like the hektes struck in the mother city. The early drachms were issued in considerable numbers but many are off struck with the lion’s mouth or entire head off the flan; this piece is a pleasing exception to that rule.
BRUTTIUM
8
8. Kroton. Circa 360. Stater (Silver, 7.88 g 8), circa 360. Head of Hera Lakinia three-quarters facing, turned slightly to the right, wearing stephane ornamented with palmettes Rev. ΚΡΟΤΩΝΙΑΤΑΝ Youthful Herakles seated to left on a rock draped with his lionskin, holding a one-handled cup in his right hand and resting his left on his club; below, bow. Basel 198. HN III 2167. SNG ANS 371. SNG Lloyd 616. SNG Oxford 1521-1522. A beautiful and finely detailed coin of the best classical style. Lightly toned. Very minor flan cracks, otherwise, extremely fine. 20,000 From the collection of B. Feirstein, Numismatica Ars Classica 39, 16 May 2007, 7. Kroton was an Achaean foundation that goes back to the late 8th century. It became ever more powerful until, in 510, it destroyed its wealthy neighbor Sybaris and was the dominant city in the area. The foundation of Thurium in 444 weakened Kroton but during the 4th century it was the center of resistance to Syracusan expansion. The present coin bears a head of Hera that is, like so many other facing heads, derived from Kimon’s Arethusa. The figure of Herakles probably is taken from a 5th century statue that was erected in his honor as the mythical founder of the city.
2:1
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