Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 124 23 Jun 2021
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Acarnania, Acarnanian League. Federal coinage.
1/4 stater, Leucas circa 250, AV 2.12 g. Head of the river-god Acheloos r.; behind, И. Rev. Apollo, nude but for drapery over r. leg, seated l., holding bow and resting l. arm on seat; in l. field, unidentified letter or symbol. de Luynes 1916 var. (different control marks). BCD Akarnania 14 var. (different control mark). Nomos 1, 2005, 56 (these dies).
An exceedingly rare variety, only the second specimen known, of an extremely rare type.
In exceptional condition for the issue and with a wonderful reddish tone. Struck
on a very broad flan, minor traces of double striking on obverse,
otherwise extremely fine
Privately purchased from Nomos on 4th January 2010.
The Acarnanian League was a loose confederacy of cities and tribes in northwestern Greece formed in the fifth century BC to resist Corinthian colonial expansion in the region. Over the course of the fifth and fourth centuries, the league tended to serve as an Athenian or Theban ally against Sparta, but fell under Macedonian domination following the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. In the early third century BC the Acarnanian League was a sort of buffer state between the Macedonian kingdom and the hostile Aetolian League to the south. Unfortunately, a conflict between the Acarnanians and Aetolians in 263/2 led to the dismemberment of the Acarnanian League and the division of much of Acarnania between Aetolia and Epirus. By 230 BC, the kingdom of Epirus had collapsed and the Acarnanian cities that had previously fallen under its control reasserted themselves and established a new Acarnanian League. The restored federal state chose the island city of Leucas to serve as its new capital since Stratus, the original Acarnanian capital remained under Aetolian domination. The present gold fraction was struck by this reconstituted Acarnanian League, although its precise dating remains a matter of some dispute. Suggestions range from the period of the Social War (220-217 BC) to the First and Second Macedonian Wars (214-205 BC and 200-197 BC) when the Acarnanian League was a staunch ally of the Macedonian kingdom. Its pro-Macedonian stance was only ended in 197 BC when Leucas was besieged and captured by the Romans. The obverse type depicts Acheloos, the god of the great river that winds through Acarnania and which was said to be the father of all rivers in the world. He notably fought with Heracles over the right to marry Deianeira and was defeated. The reverse type features the image of Apollo Actaeus, a deity with an important shrine and festival at Anactorium that was administered by the Acarnanian League starting in c. 216 BC.
1/4 stater, Leucas circa 250, AV 2.12 g. Head of the river-god Acheloos r.; behind, И. Rev. Apollo, nude but for drapery over r. leg, seated l., holding bow and resting l. arm on seat; in l. field, unidentified letter or symbol. de Luynes 1916 var. (different control marks). BCD Akarnania 14 var. (different control mark). Nomos 1, 2005, 56 (these dies).
An exceedingly rare variety, only the second specimen known, of an extremely rare type.
In exceptional condition for the issue and with a wonderful reddish tone. Struck
on a very broad flan, minor traces of double striking on obverse,
otherwise extremely fine
Privately purchased from Nomos on 4th January 2010.
The Acarnanian League was a loose confederacy of cities and tribes in northwestern Greece formed in the fifth century BC to resist Corinthian colonial expansion in the region. Over the course of the fifth and fourth centuries, the league tended to serve as an Athenian or Theban ally against Sparta, but fell under Macedonian domination following the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. In the early third century BC the Acarnanian League was a sort of buffer state between the Macedonian kingdom and the hostile Aetolian League to the south. Unfortunately, a conflict between the Acarnanians and Aetolians in 263/2 led to the dismemberment of the Acarnanian League and the division of much of Acarnania between Aetolia and Epirus. By 230 BC, the kingdom of Epirus had collapsed and the Acarnanian cities that had previously fallen under its control reasserted themselves and established a new Acarnanian League. The restored federal state chose the island city of Leucas to serve as its new capital since Stratus, the original Acarnanian capital remained under Aetolian domination. The present gold fraction was struck by this reconstituted Acarnanian League, although its precise dating remains a matter of some dispute. Suggestions range from the period of the Social War (220-217 BC) to the First and Second Macedonian Wars (214-205 BC and 200-197 BC) when the Acarnanian League was a staunch ally of the Macedonian kingdom. Its pro-Macedonian stance was only ended in 197 BC when Leucas was besieged and captured by the Romans. The obverse type depicts Acheloos, the god of the great river that winds through Acarnania and which was said to be the father of all rivers in the world. He notably fought with Heracles over the right to marry Deianeira and was defeated. The reverse type features the image of Apollo Actaeus, a deity with an important shrine and festival at Anactorium that was administered by the Acarnanian League starting in c. 216 BC.