SICILY, Himera. Circa 430 BC. AR Litra (9mm, 0.54 g, 7h). Bearded head right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with floral spray / Attic helmet right. HGC 2, 446; SNG ANS –; SNG Lloyd 1029 var. (helmet to left, same obv. die); Jameson 905. Good VF, toned. Struck in high relief.
Founded circa 649 BC by settlers from Zankle, Himera was the only Greek colony on the north coast of the island. On evidence of its late 6th century coinage it would appear to have enjoyed a high degree of prosperity at this time, despite the relative isolation of its position. As at the other two Chalkidian colonies (Naxos and Zankle), the standard denomination of Himera's archaic coinage was the drachm of about 5.73 grams, being one-third of the Euboeic stater of 17.2 grams. It is generally assumed that the cock was the civic 'badge' of Himera, having been adopted in honor of the Euboian city of Karystos, perhaps the original home of many of the first colonists. In 483 BC, Himera was captured by Theron, tyrant of Akragas, and thereafter the crab of Akragas appeared as the reverse type on the coinage of Himera.
