Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIV 21 Sep 2017
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Lucania, Sybaris AR Trihemiobol or heavy Obol. Circa 444-440 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested and laureate helmet / Bull standing left, head turned to right; ΣYBA in exergue. HN Italy -; Kraay, Sybaris -; SNG ANS -, cf. 862-7 (triobols, bull to right). 0.57g, 10mm, 7h.
Good Extremely Fine; a miniature gem of a coin. Apparently unpublished in the standard references, and possibly unique.
From a private North American Collection.
In 446 the citizens of the (once again) destroyed city of Sybaris appealed to Athens for aid (Diodorus XII.10). Athens, seeing the opportunity to expand its influence in the west, thus assisted in the refoundation of the city. In 444 this new Sybaris was reinforced by Athens with settlers drawn from many parts of the Greek mainland. Soon however, dissension arose between the original inhabitants and the panhellenic colonists who were now more numerous, leading to the expulsion of the Sybarites in c.440. The again homeless Sybarites founded Sybaris V on the river Traeis, while the original city renamed itself Thurium. The coinage of Sybaris IV was therefore very short-lived, and it is not surprising that it survives in very small numbers.
Good Extremely Fine; a miniature gem of a coin. Apparently unpublished in the standard references, and possibly unique.
From a private North American Collection.
In 446 the citizens of the (once again) destroyed city of Sybaris appealed to Athens for aid (Diodorus XII.10). Athens, seeing the opportunity to expand its influence in the west, thus assisted in the refoundation of the city. In 444 this new Sybaris was reinforced by Athens with settlers drawn from many parts of the Greek mainland. Soon however, dissension arose between the original inhabitants and the panhellenic colonists who were now more numerous, leading to the expulsion of the Sybarites in c.440. The again homeless Sybarites founded Sybaris V on the river Traeis, while the original city renamed itself Thurium. The coinage of Sybaris IV was therefore very short-lived, and it is not surprising that it survives in very small numbers.