BRUTTIUM, Lokroi Epizephyrioi. Circa 344-318 BC. AV Tenth Stater (10mm, 0.74 g, 7h). Head of eagle left, holding serpent in its beak; OΛ above / Vertical winged thunderbolt. Spinelli Period I, Group II.4, 21 (this coin, illustrated); HN Italy 2346; SNG ANS 498; SNG Copenhagen 1857 (same obv. die); Jameson 447; Pozzi 795 (same dies). Trace deposits, area of weak strike, slight double strike on obverse. Good VF. Rare.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection. Ex James A. Ferrendelli Collection (Triton VII, 13 January 2004), lot 36; George & Robert Stevenson Collection (Classical Numismatic Group XXVI, 11 June 1993), lot 15; Classical Numismatic Group 28 (8 December 1993), lot 26; Numismatica Ars Classica A (28 February 1991), lot 1161; Münzen und Medaillen AG 68 (15 April 1986), lot 79.
Lokroi Epizephyrioi was founded by Dorian settlers in the eighth or seventh century BC. Its location in southern Italy was ideal for an agricultural center, and the city soon flourished. The nearby city of Rhegion became its chief rival, and the two poleis engaged in warfare on many occasions. In the fifth century, Lokroi sought and gained a powerful ally, Syracuse, who supported them militarily and financially in their efforts against Rhegion. This alliance impacted the development of coinage at Lokroi, who adopted the silver stater standard that was commonly used in the robust trade between Syracuse and Corinth. In the late fifth century, Lokroi reciprocated the support it had received from Syracuse by supporting the latter’s defense against the Athenian Expedition. The close relationship between the two cities continued, and the Syracusan tyrant Dionysios I gave Lokroi the nearby cities of Hipponion and Kaulonia after his forces conquered them in the early fourth century. In 282 BC, however, Lokroi received a Roman garrison, which proved so unpopular that the city quickly allied with Pyrrhos in his campaign against Rome in 280 BC. Following the cessation of hostilities, and Pyrrhos’ subsequent departure from the region, the Romans reestablished control over Lokroi. This new status quo remained until the Second Punic War, when the Lokrians again allied themselves with the enemy of Rome, this time the Carthaginians under their leader, Hannibal. Unfortunately, the Lokrians again chose the losing side, and in 205 BC, the Romans decimated the city, which had served as Hannibal’s final stronghold.
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