After laying low a couple months I bought a coin at the last CNG auction. I do love coins of Magna Graecia particularly those of Lucania. They were some tough buggers who wouldn't lay down for Rome. Post whatever strikes your fancy!
That is an excellent coin to come back on after several months of not buying anything. That reverse is incredible. Very pretty coin!
Nice Lucanian! Love the lion! Mine is from Paestum Lucania Paestum (Poseidoneia) 218-201 BCE AE Semuncia Poseidon-Dolphin (started cut for "change")
I love these Velian coins! This is among the first individual ancient coins I bought: LUCANIA, Velia 305-290 BCE AR didrachm, 17.5 mm, 7.3 gm Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet, decorated with griffin; at left, A Rev: YEΛHTΩN; lion standing on exergual line; above dolphin between I and Φ Ref: SNG ANS 1375-6 ... Not Lucanian, but I do finally have an ex-JBGood coin on its way to me courtesy of JA's last private auction . I like having coins formerly owned by CoinTalk members. One of these days I'll get a Doug and a Zumbly. I'd like an ex-X6 coin but we know how Steve feels about parting with his coins-- not going to happen!
Purchased January 9, 2015 from Edward J. Waddell, Ltd. at the New York International Numismatic Convention. Ex: Fritz Rudolf Kunker GmbH, Auction 216, October 8, 2012, Lot 95. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 27, May 12, 2004, Lot 51. Ex: Dr. Athos D. Moretti (1907-1993) Collection. Ex: Conte Alessandro Magnaguti collection, P.& P. Santamaria, Rome, October 14, 1949, Lot 229.
I have seen a lot of these in very worn condition and the soft silver makes them prone to damage in cleaning. Yours is wonderful! Mine is a bit different and not high grade but has always been a favorite coin. My other Velia didrachm is much worse grade and much later in the meal. There are several other minor variations on these. All I have seen are well executed coins. Anyone have the one with lion looking back?
Wonderful coin @JBGood !!! It's a beauty!! Terrific posts everyone! I've just started with Magna Graecia and wish I had a lot more than the two I have of the Bretti (and one of the Mamertini)...not to mention an unposted Hieron of Syracuse bronze.
Another coin of Lucania, this one from Sybaris... LUCANIA, Sybaris. Circa 550-510 BC. AR Nomos (28.5mm, 7.76 g, 12h). Bull standing left, head right; VM in exergue / Incuse bull standing right, head left. S&S Class B, pl. 48, 4–8; Gorini 2; HN Italy 1729. From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind. Ex Gorny & Mosch 233 (6 October 2015), lot 1097.
