Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
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Lucania, Velia AR Stater. Circa 340-334 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet decorated with griffin; dolphins swimming downwards to each side, Θ behind neck-guard / Lion standing right, Θ between its legs; ΥΕΛΗΤΩΝ in exergue. Jameson 391 (same dies); SNG ANS 1301 (same dies); Williams 269; HN Italy 1284. 7.62g, 23mm, 10h.
Extremely Fine.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 6, 11 March 1993, lot 44.
According to Herodotus, in 545 BC Ionian Greeks fled Phokaia in modern Turkey, which was besieged by the Persians. Settling at Alalia in Corsica, the Phokaians were soon attacked by a combined force of Etruscans and Carthaginians, who dispatched a fleet of 120 warships to root out the Phokaians. Despite prevailing at the Battle of Alalia against a force twice their size, the Greek victory came at such a cost that they were left unable to defend themselves further, and the 6000 or so surviving citizens took to the sea, briefly stopping in Rhegion, before moving north along the coast to found the town of Hyele, later to be renamed Ele, and then, eventually, Elea (Velia). The location is nearly at the same latitude as Phokaia. Elea began minting coins on the Phokaian standard soon after its foundation, and continued to do so until it joined Rome in 273 BC, having successfully maintained its independence against the aggressive Lucani.
Extremely Fine.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 6, 11 March 1993, lot 44.
According to Herodotus, in 545 BC Ionian Greeks fled Phokaia in modern Turkey, which was besieged by the Persians. Settling at Alalia in Corsica, the Phokaians were soon attacked by a combined force of Etruscans and Carthaginians, who dispatched a fleet of 120 warships to root out the Phokaians. Despite prevailing at the Battle of Alalia against a force twice their size, the Greek victory came at such a cost that they were left unable to defend themselves further, and the 6000 or so surviving citizens took to the sea, briefly stopping in Rhegion, before moving north along the coast to found the town of Hyele, later to be renamed Ele, and then, eventually, Elea (Velia). The location is nearly at the same latitude as Phokaia. Elea began minting coins on the Phokaian standard soon after its foundation, and continued to do so until it joined Rome in 273 BC, having successfully maintained its independence against the aggressive Lucani.