Alliance of Lokris with Rome

285, Lot: 11. Estimate $1000. Sold for $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BRUTTIUM, Lokroi Epizephyrioi. Circa 275 BC. AR Nomos (22mm, 6.40 g, 12h). Laureate head of Zeus left; NE below / Roma seated right, being crowned by Pistis standing left. HN Italy 2347; SNG ANS 531. Near VF, toned, roughness. Rare.

This remarkable type commemorates the alliance of Lokris with Rome during the time Pyrrhos of Epeiros was campaigning against Rome in southern Italy. Initially an ally of Pyrrhos, Lokris eventually changed her allegiance, and thereby received favorable treatment by the Romans after the war. Contemporary commemorations of specific historical events are very rare in Greek coinage.