Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4
Date: 2025-01-14 15:00:00 (3 weeks from now)
Lots: 1152
Total starting: $ 3,093,540.00
In this auction, Numistats has matched 120 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 22
CAMPANIA, Capua. 216-214 BC. Æ Uncia(?) (17mm, 3.09 g, 11h). Reduced standard. Head of Herakles right, wearing tainia, club over left shoulder / Kerberos standing right; kapu (in Oscan) in exergue. Campana, Monete 19; Giard, Monnaie 14; Sambon 1034; HN Italy 502; SNG ANS 218; SNG BN –; SNG Morcom –; SNG München –. Dark gray-green patina, faint cleaning marks, minor flan flaw on obverse. Good VF.
From the John Morcom Collection. Ex David Freedman Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 28.
From the John Morcom Collection. Ex David Freedman Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 28.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 23
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 510-500 BC. AR Nomos (23.5mm, 8.13 g, 12h). Taras, nude, riding dolphin right, extending left hand, right hand resting on dolphin’s back; TARAS (retrograde) to left, scallop shell below, dot-and-cable border around / Incuse of obverse type; [T]ARAS in relief to right, radiate border. Fischer-Bossert Group 1, 12 (V6/R5); Vlasto 69 (same obv. die); HN Italy 826; SNG Lloyd 108 (same obv. die); Kraay & Hirmer 294. Toned, traces of find patina, a few hairlines, minor nick on edge. Good VF. Excellent metal for issue.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 86 (5 May 2003), lot 199.
The city of Tarentum was founded in the late 8th century BC by Spartan colonists on the north coast of the gulf of the same name, on a rocky islet at the entrance to the only secure harbor. It was Sparta's only colony and maintained close relations with its mother city. The official founder of the city was believed to be the Spartan leader Phalanthos. Ancient tradition, however, tells how Taras, the son of Poseidon and a local nymph, Satyra, was miraculously saved from a shipwreck by his father, who sent a dolphin on whose back he was carried to shore, at which spot he founded a city.
Blessed with fertile land, Tarentum became famous for olives and sheep. It possessed a fine harbor, great fisheries and profitable exports of wool, purple dye, and pottery. It adopted a democratic form of government circa 475 BC, and thereafter became the leading Greek city in southern Italy. Its success led to continual difficulties with its neighbor cities, though, and on four occasions Tarentum required expeditions from Greece to help overcome its aggressors. The last of these expeditions was led by the famed Epeirote, Pyrrhos. Following his withdrawal from the city, Tarentum was occupied by the Romans.
It was not until late in the 6th century that Tarentum felt the need to produce coinage. It did so by copying the broad, thin fabric with incuse reverse type already in use by Metapontum, Sybaris, Poseidonia, Kaulonia, and Kroton. Tarentum quickly grew in power and wealth. As with many cities that began coinage at the time, the types depicted relate to the city's foundation, both in its historical and mythological forms. Taras’ prosperity is exemplified by its vast coinage, which was continuous from circa 510 BC until the end of the Second Punic War.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 86 (5 May 2003), lot 199.
The city of Tarentum was founded in the late 8th century BC by Spartan colonists on the north coast of the gulf of the same name, on a rocky islet at the entrance to the only secure harbor. It was Sparta's only colony and maintained close relations with its mother city. The official founder of the city was believed to be the Spartan leader Phalanthos. Ancient tradition, however, tells how Taras, the son of Poseidon and a local nymph, Satyra, was miraculously saved from a shipwreck by his father, who sent a dolphin on whose back he was carried to shore, at which spot he founded a city.
Blessed with fertile land, Tarentum became famous for olives and sheep. It possessed a fine harbor, great fisheries and profitable exports of wool, purple dye, and pottery. It adopted a democratic form of government circa 475 BC, and thereafter became the leading Greek city in southern Italy. Its success led to continual difficulties with its neighbor cities, though, and on four occasions Tarentum required expeditions from Greece to help overcome its aggressors. The last of these expeditions was led by the famed Epeirote, Pyrrhos. Following his withdrawal from the city, Tarentum was occupied by the Romans.
It was not until late in the 6th century that Tarentum felt the need to produce coinage. It did so by copying the broad, thin fabric with incuse reverse type already in use by Metapontum, Sybaris, Poseidonia, Kaulonia, and Kroton. Tarentum quickly grew in power and wealth. As with many cities that began coinage at the time, the types depicted relate to the city's foundation, both in its historical and mythological forms. Taras’ prosperity is exemplified by its vast coinage, which was continuous from circa 510 BC until the end of the Second Punic War.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 24
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 315 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.86 g, 3h). Nude youth on horse galloping right, holding rein in right hand and extending left hand; ΣA below / Phalanthos, nude, extending right hand and cradling filleted palm frond in left arm, riding dolphin left; to right, crested Corinthian helmet left; ΣYM and [T]APAΣ below. Fischer-Bossert Group 67, 806 (V319/R625); Vlasto 652 (same dies); HN Italy 941; SNG Copenhagen 859 (same dies). Underlying luster, minor die wear and small edge bump on obverse. Near EF. Well centered on a broad flan, struck from dies of fine style.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 25
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (21.5mm, 7.83 g, 5h). Nude youth on horse stepping right, holding rein in right hand and crowning horse with wreath in left; ΣA to left, APE/ΘΩN in two lines below / Phalanthos, nude, holding tripod in extended right hand, left hand resting on dolphin’s back, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to right, CAΣ below. Vlasto 666–7; HN Italy 957; SNG ANS 1046–50; Dewing 168; Gulbenkian 39. Underlying luster, trace deposits, light hairlines. Near EF. Struck on a broad flan.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 26
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (22.5mm, 7.89 g, 12h). Nude youth, shield on left arm, placing right hand on head of horse he rides left; ΣI to right, ΦIΛOKΛHΣ below / Phalanthos, nude, holding wreath in extended right hand, left hand resting on dolphin’s back, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to right, ΛY below. Vlasto 688–90; HN Italy 965; SNG ANS 1063; SNG BN 1877–81. Underlying luster, die break on obverse, a little die rust on reverse. EF. Well centered and struck on a broad flan.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 27
LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 330/25-281 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.77 g, 7h). Head of Athena right, wearing single-pendant earring, pearl necklace, and crested Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone in right hand; |-HPAKΛHIΩN above, K behind neck / Herakles standing slightly left, head facing, right hand set on grounded club to left, holding bow and two arrows in extended left hand, lion skin draped over left arm; oinochoë and AΘA to left, |-H[AKΛ]HIΩN to right. Work 62–3/78 (same obv./rev. dies); Van Keuren 84; HN Italy 1384; NAC 27, lot 29 (same dies). Slightly weak strike, a little die wear on obverse, minor flan flaw on reverse. Good VF.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA10C; Numismatica Ars Classica 52 (7 October 2009), lot 24.
Herakleia, located on the Gulf of Taranto, was one of the last Greek colonies to be established in Italy, with a foundation date of 432 BC. Its foundation arose from the destruction of Siris, an Ionic colony located nearby, circa 550 BC. Athens claimed the right to re-found Siris with its own colonists and is said to have briefly considered relocating Athens itself to the site after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC. Athens did indeed found Thourioi in 443 BC across the gulf from the site of Siris, but this was resisted by Tarentum and Kroton, which sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War and did not want an ally of Athens so close. After a brief war, an agreement was signed whereby Athens and Tarentines would jointly found a new city on the site of Siris. This became Herakleia, named in honor of Herakles. The city’s coinage reflected its bifurcated foundation by honoring Athena (patron of Athens) on the obverse and its namesake Herakles on the reverse.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA10C; Numismatica Ars Classica 52 (7 October 2009), lot 24.
Herakleia, located on the Gulf of Taranto, was one of the last Greek colonies to be established in Italy, with a foundation date of 432 BC. Its foundation arose from the destruction of Siris, an Ionic colony located nearby, circa 550 BC. Athens claimed the right to re-found Siris with its own colonists and is said to have briefly considered relocating Athens itself to the site after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC. Athens did indeed found Thourioi in 443 BC across the gulf from the site of Siris, but this was resisted by Tarentum and Kroton, which sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War and did not want an ally of Athens so close. After a brief war, an agreement was signed whereby Athens and Tarentines would jointly found a new city on the site of Siris. This became Herakleia, named in honor of Herakles. The city’s coinage reflected its bifurcated foundation by honoring Athena (patron of Athens) on the obverse and its namesake Herakles on the reverse.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 28
LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 540-510 BC. AR Nomos (27mm, 8.11 g, 12h). Ear of barley with seven grains; META upward in right field / Incuse ear of barley with seven grains. Noe Class VI, 115 (same dies); Gorini 12; HN Italy 1479; SNG ANS 209 (same dies). Beautiful old cabinet tone. EF. An exceptional example.
Ex Nomos 28 (22 May 2023), lot 1121; Abecassis Collection (Leu 81, 16 May 2001), lot 15; Spink Zürich 20 (6 October 1986), lot 39; Kricheldorf FPL 100 (Autumn 1975), no. 5; Leu 2 (25 April 1972), lot 30.
Metapontion, originally named Sybaris, was an Achaian colony of very early foundation, though the precise details of its origin are shrouded in uncertainty. Following the destruction of its first foundation by the Samnites, it was refounded, as Metapontion, early in the 7th century BC by settlers under the leadership of Leukippos, who was thereafter revered as the city founder. The great prosperity of the city — attested by the extent of its archaic silver coinage commencing in the mid 6th century BC — was based on agriculture. Situated on the Gulf of Tarentum, Metapontion occupied a plain of extraordinary fertility watered by the rivers Bradanos and Kasuentos. Its standard coin type is an ear of barley, a tribute to the source of Metapontine wealth, and Demeter, the goddess of grain who is the city’s most revered deity.
Ex Nomos 28 (22 May 2023), lot 1121; Abecassis Collection (Leu 81, 16 May 2001), lot 15; Spink Zürich 20 (6 October 1986), lot 39; Kricheldorf FPL 100 (Autumn 1975), no. 5; Leu 2 (25 April 1972), lot 30.
Metapontion, originally named Sybaris, was an Achaian colony of very early foundation, though the precise details of its origin are shrouded in uncertainty. Following the destruction of its first foundation by the Samnites, it was refounded, as Metapontion, early in the 7th century BC by settlers under the leadership of Leukippos, who was thereafter revered as the city founder. The great prosperity of the city — attested by the extent of its archaic silver coinage commencing in the mid 6th century BC — was based on agriculture. Situated on the Gulf of Tarentum, Metapontion occupied a plain of extraordinary fertility watered by the rivers Bradanos and Kasuentos. Its standard coin type is an ear of barley, a tribute to the source of Metapontine wealth, and Demeter, the goddess of grain who is the city’s most revered deity.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 29
LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 470-440 BC. AR Nomos (20.5mm, 7.51 g, 12h). Ear of barley with eight grains; retrograde META up left field, grasshopper downward to right / Incuse ear of barley with seven grains. Noe Class XII, 258 (same dies); HN Italy 1486; SNG Copenhagen 1173 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 317 (same dies); BMC 26 (same dies); Bement 162 (same dies); de Luynes 458 (same dies). In NGC encapsulation 5747210-073, graded AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 30
LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 400-340 BC. AR Nomos (18mm, 7.63 g, 4h). Obverse die signed by Apol–. Head (of Apollo?) right, wearing laurel wreath, AΠOΛ in tiny letters on truncation of neck, Σ below / Grain ear [with leaf to right]; META downward on left. Noe 461c (this coin, illustrated); HN Italy 1534; SNG ANS 349 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 708 (same dies); SNG Lockett 393 = Bement 173 (same dies); SNG München 969 (same dies); Hunterian 20 (same dies); Jameson 300 (same dies); Pozzi 172 (same dies). Old cabinet tone, trace deposits, slightly off center, a few light scratches on obverse, minor flan flaw at edge on reverse. Good VF.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Coin Galleries (19 November 1971), lot 12; American Numismatic Society Collection (deaccessioned).
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Coin Galleries (19 November 1971), lot 12; American Numismatic Society Collection (deaccessioned).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 31
LUCANIA, Metapontion. temp. Pyrrhos of Epeiros. Circa 280-279 BC. AV Tetrobol – Third Stater (14.5mm, 2.80 g, 10h). Bearded head of Leukippos right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone; ΛEYKIΠ[ΠOΣ] above / Two six-grained barley ears, each with a curly leaf to outside; M-E across outer fields, ΣI between. Johnston G5.1 (same dies); HN Italy 1630; SNG ANS 397–8; SNG Lockett 404 (same rev. die); Basel 153 = Gillet 202 (same obv. die); Dewing 378; Gulbenkian 72; Jameson 1867. Faintly toned, slight die wear on obverse. Good VF.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA16C; Triton XIII (5 January 2010), lot 24.
Demonstrating the usual flair shown by the die engravers in the service of Pyrrhos during his military expedition in Italy and Sicily, the small gold issues of 280/279 depicting Nike and Leukippos (HN Italy 1629-1631) are of a refinement second to none. The traditional city founder is rendered in exquisite detail with the added novelty of his helmet being decorated with Skylla hurling a stone, the very embodiment of aggressive violence before the enemy in time of war.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA16C; Triton XIII (5 January 2010), lot 24.
Demonstrating the usual flair shown by the die engravers in the service of Pyrrhos during his military expedition in Italy and Sicily, the small gold issues of 280/279 depicting Nike and Leukippos (HN Italy 1629-1631) are of a refinement second to none. The traditional city founder is rendered in exquisite detail with the added novelty of his helmet being decorated with Skylla hurling a stone, the very embodiment of aggressive violence before the enemy in time of war.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 32
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Nomos (26.5mm, 7.09 g, 12h). Poseidon, bearded and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; M◊Π to left / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; MOΠ to right. Gorini 1 var. (obv. ethnic); HN Italy 1107; SNG ANS 614 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 428; Gillet 207. Deep old collection tone, small scuff at edge on obverse. Near EF. Well centered and struck.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear FPL 6 (Summer 2001), no. 11.
From the earliest issue of the coinage at Poseidonia. A Sybarite colony founded circa 600 BC, Poseidonia grew rapidly in the 6th century through the exploitation of its considerable agricultural resources. This was a time of extensive temple construction and, in common with the other Achaian cities of southern Italy, Poseidonia began producing silver coinage of the distinctive ‘incuse’ fabric in the final decades of the century. The fine archaic striding figure brandishing a trident is Poseidon, god of the sea and the patron deity of the city. This particular depiction of him is probably inspired by a colossal statue that stood in one of the city’s temples.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex Freeman & Sear FPL 6 (Summer 2001), no. 11.
From the earliest issue of the coinage at Poseidonia. A Sybarite colony founded circa 600 BC, Poseidonia grew rapidly in the 6th century through the exploitation of its considerable agricultural resources. This was a time of extensive temple construction and, in common with the other Achaian cities of southern Italy, Poseidonia began producing silver coinage of the distinctive ‘incuse’ fabric in the final decades of the century. The fine archaic striding figure brandishing a trident is Poseidon, god of the sea and the patron deity of the city. This particular depiction of him is probably inspired by a colossal statue that stood in one of the city’s temples.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 33
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Nomos (28mm, 6.86 g, 12h). Poseidon, beardless and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; MOΠ to left / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; MOΠ to right. Gorini 3; HN Italy 1107; SNG ANS 604 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 1271; Basel 158; Regling, Antike 239. Faintly toned, small flan flaw, a few minor chips at edge. Good VF.
From the Columbus Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 2002.
From the Columbus Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 2002.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 34
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Half Nomos – Drachm (18.5mm, 2.93 g, 12h). Poseidon, beardless and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; ΠOM-E around; all within double dotted circular border / Incuse of obverse type, but trident is in relief; Ǝ-MOΠ around. Gorini 10 (same dies as illustration); HN Italy 1108; SNG ANS 625 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 433 = Jameson 332 (same dies). Lightly toned, traces of find patina, minor marks, a few cleaning scratches at edge on reverse. Good VF.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, December 2000.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, December 2000.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 35
LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 445-420 BC. AR Nomos (18mm, 7.97 g, 5h). Poseidon, bearded and nude but for chlamys draped over both arms, standing right, preparing to cast trident held aloft in right hand, left arm extended; retrograde ΠOMES downward to right / Bull standing left; retrograde ΠOMES above; all within circular incuse. HN Italy 1116; SNG Lloyd 436 (same obv. die); SNG München 1058. Deep old cabinet tone, with some iridescence, slight die wear on reverse. Near EF. Lovely style.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Massachusetts Historical Society/John Quincy Adams Family Collection (Part I, Stack’s, 5 March 1971), lot 46.
From the Henry A. Sauter Collection. Ex Massachusetts Historical Society/John Quincy Adams Family Collection (Part I, Stack’s, 5 March 1971), lot 46.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 36
LUCANIA, Sybaris. Circa 550-510 BC. AR Nomos (30.5mm, 7.57 g, 12h). Bull standing left, head right; VM in exergue / Incuse bull standing right, head left. S&S Class B, pl. XLVIII, 4–8; Gorini 2; HN Italy 1729; SNG ANS 828–44; SNG Lloyd 449–50; Basel 168–9; Bement 213; Dewing 406–7; Gillet 215. Attractively toned, with slight golden iridescence around the devices, traces of find patina, ragged edge, a hint of granularity, natural void in flan, a couple of nicks in field on obverse. EF. Well centered and struck.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Spink, March 1998.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Spink, March 1998.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 37
LUCANIA, Sybaris. Circa 550-510 BC. AR Third Nomos – Drachm (18.5mm, 2.59 g, 12h). Bull standing left, head right; VM in exergue / Incuse bull standing right, head left. S&S Class B, pl. XLVIII, 10–1; Gorini 4; HN Italy 1736; SNG ANS 847–52; SNG Lloyd 452; Bement 259; Berlin 22; Boston MFA 128–9. Deep iridescent tone, minor marks, scratch under tone on obverse. Near EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 38
LUCANIA, Thourioi. Circa 400-350 BC. AR Nomos (22mm, 7.78 g, 2h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet with neck guard, the bowl decorated with Skylla holding rudder in right hand and raising left hand to head, scanning / Bull butting right, head facing, on linear ground line; ΘOYPIΩN above; [in exergue, fish right]. HN Italy 1802; SNG ANS 1005; SNG ANS 991 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 473–4; Morgan 76 (this coin). Old collection tone with some iridescence, slight die wear on obverse. Good VF.
Ex Hess-Leu [9] (2 April 1958), lot 22; J. Pierpont Morgan Collection (sold privately; not in H. Schulman or Stack’s sales); Marquis Carlo Strozzi Collection (Sambon/Sangiorgi, 15 April 1907), lot 1098.
In 446 BC, with the aid of Athens, the refugee population of the destroyed city of Sybaris returned to the location of their previous home, and founded a new city, giving it the name Thourioi. The new city quickly regained the prosperity enjoyed by its former incarnation, as evidenced by the extensive series of coins it issued over the following two centuries. Although its perennial rival had been Kroton, the new city grew close to its former enemy, and Tarentum as well. Good relations with the latter were probably responsible for the weakening of Thourioi's historical connection to Athens, and she turned to Sparta during the Peloponnesian War. Although supported by Tarentum, the city suffered at the hands of the Lucanians and Brettians during the 4th century. In need of a more robust ally, the Thourians turned to Rome in 285 BC. Unlike many cities in southern Italy, Thourioi's support of Rome was steadfast during both the time of Pyrrhos and Hannibal's invasion, even though the Thourians suffered heavily at the hands of the latter. The coinage of Thourioi was diverse in both its denominations and metals. The primary types were the head of Athena, probably due to the city's initial close relationship with Athens, and a standing or butting bull, which had been the civic type on the coins of Sybaris.
Ex Hess-Leu [9] (2 April 1958), lot 22; J. Pierpont Morgan Collection (sold privately; not in H. Schulman or Stack’s sales); Marquis Carlo Strozzi Collection (Sambon/Sangiorgi, 15 April 1907), lot 1098.
In 446 BC, with the aid of Athens, the refugee population of the destroyed city of Sybaris returned to the location of their previous home, and founded a new city, giving it the name Thourioi. The new city quickly regained the prosperity enjoyed by its former incarnation, as evidenced by the extensive series of coins it issued over the following two centuries. Although its perennial rival had been Kroton, the new city grew close to its former enemy, and Tarentum as well. Good relations with the latter were probably responsible for the weakening of Thourioi's historical connection to Athens, and she turned to Sparta during the Peloponnesian War. Although supported by Tarentum, the city suffered at the hands of the Lucanians and Brettians during the 4th century. In need of a more robust ally, the Thourians turned to Rome in 285 BC. Unlike many cities in southern Italy, Thourioi's support of Rome was steadfast during both the time of Pyrrhos and Hannibal's invasion, even though the Thourians suffered heavily at the hands of the latter. The coinage of Thourioi was diverse in both its denominations and metals. The primary types were the head of Athena, probably due to the city's initial close relationship with Athens, and a standing or butting bull, which had been the civic type on the coins of Sybaris.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 39
LUCANIA, Thourioi. Circa 400-350 BC. AR Dinomos – Distater (24.5mm, 15.70 g, 1h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated on its bowl with Skylla raising left hand to head, scanning; IΔ behind neck guard / Bull butting right on linear ground line; ΘOYPIΩN above; in exergue, fish right. Noe, Thurian F28 (same dies); HN Italy 1803; SNG Lloyd 486 (same dies); Jameson 359 (same dies); Pozzi 229 (same dies). Lightly toned, area of weak strike. Good VF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 40
LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 400-340 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.72 g, 1h). T Group. Head of nymph right, wearing a kekryphale; YEΛH to right / Roaring lion standing right on dotted ground line; ΛH below. Williams Period IV, 219 (O134/R168); HN Italy 1278; SNG Ashmolean 1098 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 1528 (same dies); BMC 20 (same dies); McClean 1407 (same dies); Sartiges 52 (same dies). Lightly toned, a touch of die wear, a few light marks. Good VF. Well centered.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 41
LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 300-280 BC. AR Nomos (21.5mm, 7.33 g, 1h). Philistion group. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with griffin; Δ above visor, [Φ before neck] / Lion standing right; above, pentagram between Φ and I; YEΛHTΩN in exergue. Williams Period VII, 424 (O210/R300); HN Italy 1306; SNG ANS 1367 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 1580 (same dies); SNG Lockett 566 (same dies); BMC 102 (same dies). Lovely old cabinet tone, some hairlines, small scrape and test cut on edge. Near EF. Perfectly centered. A very attractive coin in hand.
Ex G. Hirsch 204 (5 May 1999), lot 98.
Ex G. Hirsch 204 (5 May 1999), lot 98.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 42
LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.55 g, 12h). Lion-and-stag group. Head of Athena left, wearing a crested Attic helmet decorated with a griffin springing left; A above visor, Φ before neck, IE on incuse square behind neck guard / Lion attacking stag left; ΥΕΛΗΤΩN above. Williams Period IX, 572 (O284/R399); HN Italy 1318; Davis 21 (same dies); Dewing 473 (same dies); Sartiges 57 (same dies). Toned, with some iridescence, slight die wear on obverse. Near EF.