Watch List notes:

Bruttium. Kroton. AR Stater, ca. 400-375 BC. 7.76 gms. Head of Hera Lakinia slightly right, wearing stephane decorated with palmettes, rev. KPO-TΩ(NI-ATAN), Youthful nude Herakles, holding cup and club, reclining on lion’s skin draped rock, bow below, all within linear circle. SNG ANS 371 (same dies), HN Italy 2167, SNG München 1456. The designs of this coin celebrate Kroton’s importance as guardian of the famed sanctuary of Hera Lakinia on the nearby Lakinian promotory, and mark Herakles as the city’s founder. This may appear to be a somewhat quixotic juxtaposition as Hera, Herakles’ stepmother, ever jealous and vengeful of her husband Zeus, tried to prevent Herakles’ birth when he lay in the womb of his mother Alcmene. Unsuccessful she later sent two serpents to kill the infant Herakles as he lay in his cot. The divine child hero quickly dispatched the serpents. When he grew to adulthood, Herakles was constantly beset by Hera’s intrigues, ploys and plots while he was on his many quests. Some myths, though, tell us that ultimately the two became friends after Herakles rescued Hera from being ravished by the giant Porphyrion. The Temple of Hera Lakinia possessed a painting of the goddess Hera executed by the renowned artist Zeuxis. According to local lore, Zeuxis had the five most beautiful girls of Kroton at the time sit as models for his painting. Reverse somewhat off center losing head of Herakles. These coin types are often hampered by poor die work, die wear or corrosion. This immaculate example here suffers from none of these ills, and is of flawless metal quality and superb late Classical style. It offers perhaps one of the finest known depictions of Hera, the majestic and solemn wife of Zeus. Choice Extremely Fine. A similar example, not quite as nice as this, sold for $35,000 in the 2012 Gemini Sale.
Ex The New York Sale XI, Jan. 11, 2006, lot 22
Estimate: - $6,000.00