Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XI 7 April 2016
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Sicily, Kephaloidion AR Hemidrachm. Circa 307-305 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress; EK ΚΕΦΑΛΟΙΔΙON around / Bull butting left on tablet; monogram AK and ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΩΤΑΝ above. Campana, Kephaloidion 1; Jenkins, Coinages, p. 97, 1 = CNS I p. 245 (Herakleia) = Basel 345 = Numismatica Ars Classica 13, lot 345. 1.93g, 16mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare, one of only very few examples.
From a private German collection.
Once in the territory of Himera, the Sikeliote city of Kephaloidion fell into Carthaginian possession after the destruction of Himera, from where the 'Rash Melkarth' or 'Promontory of Herakles' coins appear to have been issued. The city was recovered in 393 BC by Dionysios of Syracuse, and he settled here a group of Italian mercenaries who called themselves the Herakleotai. The series of coins produced by these mercenaries is extremely rare, such that very few examples of each denomination survive - of the drachms there are believed to be only two surviving specimens, and this uncertain denomination is of similar scarcity. It is described by the ANS as a triobol, and as a hemidrachm by Jameson, though the present specimen is heavier than both of those, being slightly greater than hemidrachm weight.
The great rarity of this series means that this coin represents a near singular opportunity for collectors to acquire a coin of this Hellenised city in a denomination any greater than a litra.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare, one of only very few examples.
From a private German collection.
Once in the territory of Himera, the Sikeliote city of Kephaloidion fell into Carthaginian possession after the destruction of Himera, from where the 'Rash Melkarth' or 'Promontory of Herakles' coins appear to have been issued. The city was recovered in 393 BC by Dionysios of Syracuse, and he settled here a group of Italian mercenaries who called themselves the Herakleotai. The series of coins produced by these mercenaries is extremely rare, such that very few examples of each denomination survive - of the drachms there are believed to be only two surviving specimens, and this uncertain denomination is of similar scarcity. It is described by the ANS as a triobol, and as a hemidrachm by Jameson, though the present specimen is heavier than both of those, being slightly greater than hemidrachm weight.
The great rarity of this series means that this coin represents a near singular opportunity for collectors to acquire a coin of this Hellenised city in a denomination any greater than a litra.