Central Greece, Euboea, Eretria (c. 480 BC), Silver Didrachm, 8.28 gms., die axis 135°, cow left, raising left rear hoof to scratch, /KE/k (retrograde) below cow's body, rev. octopus in incuse square (ACGC 270), some old scratches and marks, otherwise choice very fine, in superb style and very rare

Details

Central Greece, Euboea, Eretria (c. 480 BC), Silver Didrachm, 8.28 gms., die axis 135°, cow left, raising left rear hoof to scratch, /KE/k (retrograde) below cow's body, rev. octopus in incuse square (ACGC 270), some old scratches and marks, otherwise choice very fine, in superb style and very rare

Provenance

Purchased from Dr. Jacob Hirsch in 1948 for $607.50
R. Jameson Collection, no. 1172

Further details

This small issue belongs to a brief revival of coinage at Eretria some time between the destruction of the city by the Persians in 490 BC and the imposition of strict controls over the city by Athens, the dominant city of the Delian League, which ended most local coinage.