Italy, Lucania, Poseidonia (c. 525 BC), Silver Stater, 7.27 gms., die axis 360°, archaic figure of Poseidon striding right and wielding trident, /KPOS/k behind, dot and cable border, rev. similar, incuse to the left, striated border (Kraay, Gli stateri a doppio relievo di Poseidonia, AMSMG, 1967, pp. 113-135; ACGC 650; cf SNG ANS 606; cf SNG Cop. 1271/2), almost extremely fine and very rare

Details

Italy, Lucania, Poseidonia (c. 525 BC), Silver Stater, 7.27 gms., die axis 360°, archaic figure of Poseidon striding right and wielding trident, /KPOS/k behind, dot and cable border, rev. similar, incuse to the left, striated border (Kraay, Gli stateri a doppio relievo di Poseidonia, AMSMG, 1967, pp. 113-135; ACGC 650; cf SNG ANS 606; cf SNG Cop. 1271/2), almost extremely fine and very rare

Provenance

Purchased from Spink in 1946 for $205
Bement Collection, Naville/Ars Classica, 1923, lot 202

Further details

Coinage began in about 525 BC at both Poseidonia and Kaulonia (see lot 618). At both cities the earliest coins depict full length archaic figures in excellent style on broad planchets. At both cities also, the effort of producing such magnificent coins proved impractical; within a few years the quality of engraving had greatly declined and planchets had become smaller and thicker.