Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 110. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $385. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Poseidonia. Circa 470-445 BC. AR Nomos (8.08 g, 11h). Poseidon advancing right, wielding trident overhead / Bull standing right in circular incuse. SNG ANS 646; HN Italy 1114. VF. Well centered and struck.

A Sybarite colony founded circa 600 BC, Poseidonia grew rapidly in the 6th century through the exploitation of its considerable agricultural resources. This was a time of extensive temple construction and, in common with the other Achaean cities of southern Italy, Poseidonia began producing silver coinage of the distinctive ‘incuse’ fabric in the final decades of the century. The fine archaic striding figure brandishing a trident is Poseidon, god of the sea and the patron deity of the city. This particular depiction of him is probably inspired by a colossal statue that stood in one of the city’s temples.