Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Lucania, Thourioi AR Distater. Circa 350-300 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with Skylla; ΣΑΝ behind neck guard / Bull charging right, ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ ΕΥΦΑ above; two fish swimming to right in exergue. HN Italy 1823; Noe, Thurian J6-J8 (these dies). 15.17g, 27mm, 3h.
Minor flatness on obverse, but otherwise Mint State.
Ex ArtCoins Roma 4, 5 December 2011, lot 490.
A head of Athena engraved in the finest classical style, superbly detailed throughout, with facial features that convey a femininity rarely seen on the coins of this series. Golden toning around the devices.
The types presented on this coin allude to the origins of the city in the mid-fifth century BC: the foundation of Thourioi was the outcome of an appeal made by the refugees of Sybaris, recently destroyed by Kroton, to Sparta and Athens for assistance and reinforcement in their attempt to reestablish their city in the face of Krotoniate opposition. Athens answered their plea, dispatching ten ships manned by Athenians and Peloponnesians. Thus Sybaris was refounded, though dissensions between the Sybarites and the new colonists ended in a civil conflict, on account of the former laying claim not only to honorary distinctions, but to the exclusive possession of important political privileges. At length many of the Sybarites were expelled, and Thourioi's population was swelled by fresh colonists from all parts of Greece. Though the Athenians by now formed a relatively small proportion of the population, Thourioi continued to be regarded as an Athenian colony, maintaining close ties with Athens, and indeed providing assistance to Athens' ill-fated campaign against Syracuse. It is therefore unsurprising that Athena should feature as the patron deity of the city, prominently displayed on its coinage, while the reverse is an adaptation of the emblem of Sybaris, upon which Thourioi was built.
Minor flatness on obverse, but otherwise Mint State.
Ex ArtCoins Roma 4, 5 December 2011, lot 490.
A head of Athena engraved in the finest classical style, superbly detailed throughout, with facial features that convey a femininity rarely seen on the coins of this series. Golden toning around the devices.
The types presented on this coin allude to the origins of the city in the mid-fifth century BC: the foundation of Thourioi was the outcome of an appeal made by the refugees of Sybaris, recently destroyed by Kroton, to Sparta and Athens for assistance and reinforcement in their attempt to reestablish their city in the face of Krotoniate opposition. Athens answered their plea, dispatching ten ships manned by Athenians and Peloponnesians. Thus Sybaris was refounded, though dissensions between the Sybarites and the new colonists ended in a civil conflict, on account of the former laying claim not only to honorary distinctions, but to the exclusive possession of important political privileges. At length many of the Sybarites were expelled, and Thourioi's population was swelled by fresh colonists from all parts of Greece. Though the Athenians by now formed a relatively small proportion of the population, Thourioi continued to be regarded as an Athenian colony, maintaining close ties with Athens, and indeed providing assistance to Athens' ill-fated campaign against Syracuse. It is therefore unsurprising that Athena should feature as the patron deity of the city, prominently displayed on its coinage, while the reverse is an adaptation of the emblem of Sybaris, upon which Thourioi was built.