Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 90 23 May 2012
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BRUTTIUM, Rhegion(?). Circa 356-351 BC. AR Obol or Litra (9mm, 0.65 g, 5h). Male head right; traces of legend to right / Facing lion head. Herzfelder p. 45 and pl. XII, L var. (obv. head wearing diadem); HN Italy 2504 var. (same); CNG Electronic Auction 103, lot 16. VF, lightly toned, light scratches and porosity. Extremely rare.
The style of the lion on this piece is quite unlike that found on the issues of Rhegion, which was quite consistent across all denominations and metals. The absence of the diadem on the male portrait is also unusual. More revealing is the CNG E-103 example, on which the obverse legend is partially visible: ...(Δ or A)POΣ. The head on the issue of Rhegion should be Apollo or Iokastos, and this partial legend does not apply to either of these possibilities, nor could it be the city ethnic. All of these anomalous features suggest this coin is probably not an issue of Rhegion.
The style of the lion on this piece is quite unlike that found on the issues of Rhegion, which was quite consistent across all denominations and metals. The absence of the diadem on the male portrait is also unusual. More revealing is the CNG E-103 example, on which the obverse legend is partially visible: ...(Δ or A)POΣ. The head on the issue of Rhegion should be Apollo or Iokastos, and this partial legend does not apply to either of these possibilities, nor could it be the city ethnic. All of these anomalous features suggest this coin is probably not an issue of Rhegion.