Details
Italy, Campania, Cumae (c. 425 BC), Silver Didrachm, 7.58 gms., die axis 90°, diademed female head right, rev. /KKYMAION/k, mussel-shell above ear of barley (SNG ANS 247; SNG Lloyd 57; SNG Cop. 364-8; cf Boston 27; cf ACGC 726), toned, extremely fine and extremely rare in this condition
Provenance
Purchased from Dr. Jacob Hirsch in 1945 for $202.50
St. Marceaux Collection, Naville/Ars Classica XVI, 1933, lot 29
St. Marceaux Collection, Naville/Ars Classica XVI, 1933, lot 29
Further details
Cumae, founded by citizens of Chalcis in Euboia about 750 BC, was the first of all the Greek colonies in Italy. Immensely prosperous and influential during the first few hundred years of her existence, Neapolis and Messana were just two of the new cities founded by her citizens. In the fifth Century, however, the city came increasingly under the sway of native Italian tribes who finally captured it in 421 BC and sold its citizens into slavery. The wonderful idiosyncratic style of this piece may be the result of native Italian influence.