APULIA. Arpi. Circa 325-275 BC. Obol (Silver, 10 mm, 0.62 g, 12 h). A Horse prancing to right. Rev. Λ Fish-hook. HN III 635. Jameson 72. SNG ANS 633. SNG Copenhagen 602. SNG Paris 1224. Very rare. A lovely example, attractively toned. Nearly extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions and from the collection of L. Mildenberg.
Arpi was a Greek colony in Apulia, located near to the modern city of Foggia. Its ancient name was first Argos Hippium, which changed to Argyrippa and then Arpi. It was an important center for horse breeding and allied itself to Rome in 400 BC against the Samnites. However, after Cannae in 216 it joined with Hannibal and was sacked by Quintus Fabius Maximus in 213.