170, Lot: 13. Estimate $300. Sold for $235. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Himera. Circa 530-483/2 BC. AR Litra (11mm, 0.79 g). Cock standing left / Mill-sail incuse. Kraay 296 var. (dies not recorded?); SNG ANS 145 var. Good VF, attractively toned, nice metal.

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.