nomos (didrachm) of Hyria, 395-385 BC

Rutter 134 (O47/R120)   7.20 g   Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 81 2001 lot 2
                                 Estimate 3,500 CHF, realized 3,200 CHF  (approx. 1,847 USD)

type HNI 540


Magna graecia
Campania
The Hyrians
Stater (Silver, 7.20 g 8), c. 395-385. 
Head of Hera Lakinia three-quarters facing to right, wearing a necklace and a polos ornamented with a palmette between the foreparts of two griffins; to right, . 
Rev. Man-headed bull walking slowly to right above double ground line. 
Basel 37. Rutter 134. Sambon 794. SNG Manchester 46. 
Rare. With an obverse die of particularly fine style. Attractively toned. Good very fine. 

From the collection of P. Tinchant = R.J. Graham, Schulman 243, 8 June 1966, 1037. 
This rare coin represents a fascinating issue struck by an obscure people living in southern Italy. 
The Hyrians were allies of the Nolans, the Fenseri, and, probably, a number of the Greek cities to the south. 
Astoundingly, this obverse die seems to have first been used for a stater of Thurium (SNG Cop. 1431), 
after which it was used with a number of reverse dies of the Hyrians, one of the Fenseri, 
and with a Hyrian reverse die recut for Neapolis.