Master Engraving

CNG 90, Lot: 314. Estimate $20000. Sold for $32500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Thourioi. Circa 400-350 BC. AR Double Nomos – Distater (25mm, 15.22 g, 10h). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated on its bowl with Skylla scanning right, and on its neck guard with griffin right / Bull butting right, ligate VE on its hind quarter; ΘOYPIΩN above; in exergue, fish right. Noe, Thurian B8 (same dies); HN Italy 1803; Jameson 358 (same dies). EF, thin, dark find patina. Exceptionally fine style, well centered on a broad flan. Extremely rare early distater.

The obverse die achieves a perfect balance between classical serenity and fluid ornamentation. It is surely the work of a master engraver and can perhaps be attributed to Phrygillos, who is believed to have worked at Thurium. Phrygillos signed dies at Syracuse and his hand has also been identified at Terina.