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LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 390-340 BC. AR Nomos (19.5mm, 7.63 g, 3h). Helmeted head of Athena facing slightly right / Herakles standing facing, head and torso right, fighting the Nemean Lion to right; club and bow to left. Work 21 (same dies); Van Keuren 20; HN Italy 1375; SNG Fitzwilliam 426 (same dies). Attractive light toning. VF. Rare.
Ex William H. Birkinshaw Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 484, 27 January 2021), lot 17; Triton II (1 December 1998), lot 57.
Herakleia, located on the Gulf of Taranto, was one of the last Greek colonies to be established in Italy, with a foundation date of 432 BC. Its foundation arose from the destruction of Siris, an Ionic colony located nearby, circa 550 BC. Athens claimed the right to re-found Siris with its own colonists and is said to have briefly considered relocating Athens itself to the site after its destruction by the Persians in 480 BC. Athens did indeed found Thourioi in 443 BC across the gulf from the site of Siris, but this was resisted by Tarentum and Kroton, which sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War and did not want an ally of Athens so close. After a brief war, an agreement was signed whereby Athens and Tarentines would jointly found a new city on the site of Siris. This became Herakleia, named in honor of Herakles. The city’s coinage reflected its bifurcated foundation by honoring Athena (patron of Athens) on the obverse and its namesake Herakles on the reverse.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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