Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 115 16-17 Sep 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
BRUTTIUM, Kroton. Circa 400-325 BC. AR Nomos (19.5mm, 7.44 g, 7h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / The Herakliskos Drakonopnigon: the Infant Herakles, nude, crouching facing on rock, head left, strangling a serpent in each hand. Attianese 163 (same rev. die as illustration); HN Italy 2157. Toned, light scratches, small cut on reverse. VF.
From the James Barry Collection. Ex Pegasi XXXV (15 November 2016), lot 36.
From the consignor: The reverse type, the infant Herakles strangling two serpents, is highly artistic and was struck during a time of superbly talented engravers working at the main coin-producing cities of Magna Graecia. This is a rare type and certainly among the best survivors of those coins. The father of Herakles was Zeus, who had impregnated Herakles's mortal mother, Alkmene. Hera was naturally unhappy with the impending birth and had two serpents placed in the crib of the infant Herakles. Being the son of Zeus, the babe easily strangled them.
From the James Barry Collection. Ex Pegasi XXXV (15 November 2016), lot 36.
From the consignor: The reverse type, the infant Herakles strangling two serpents, is highly artistic and was struck during a time of superbly talented engravers working at the main coin-producing cities of Magna Graecia. This is a rare type and certainly among the best survivors of those coins. The father of Herakles was Zeus, who had impregnated Herakles's mortal mother, Alkmene. Hera was naturally unhappy with the impending birth and had two serpents placed in the crib of the infant Herakles. Being the son of Zeus, the babe easily strangled them.