stater of Herakleion, 290-280 BC

Van Keuren 96         7.79 g         Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 83 2002 lot 15. 
                                     Estimate 5'000 CHF, realized: 7,000 CHF  (4,380 USD)
                                     Classical Numismatic Group > Mail Bid Sale 63 2003 lot 48
                                     Estimate 6,000 USD, realized 6,000 USD
                                        
                                        
type vK 095-113
                                        
                                        
Stater (Silver, 7.79g 9), c. 281-278. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet adorned with olive 
wreath; to left between helmet crest and neck, monogram of . Rev. Young Herakles standing facing, crowning himself with 
his right hand and resting his left on his club, wearing lion skin over his head and shoulders; to left, cornucopiae and 
. HN III 1394. SNG Lockett 347. SNG Oxford 632. Van Keuren 96. Very rare. Attractively toned. Good extremely fine. 

Ex Peus 343, 26 April 1995, 18. 


LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 281-278 BC. AR Nomos (7.79 gm). Time of Pyrrhos. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian 
helmet decorated with olive wreath; monogram behind / Herakles standing facing, wearing head of lion skin with its legs 
over his left arm, crowning himself and holding club; cornucopiae in left field, monogram between club and leg, 
magistrate Archias. Van Keuren 96; SNG ANS -; HN Italy 1394. Toned, superb EF, perfectly centered and well struck. 
Exceptional work by a master engraver. ($6000)
This victorious Herakles is a remarkable departure from the standard Herakleia eponymous type. It was struck during the 
first years of the Pyrrhic War, shortly after Pyrrhos of Epeiros arrived in Italy in response to the plea of the 
southern cities for aid against Rome. His first major battle with the Romans was on the banks of the river Siris near 
Herakleia in 280 BC, where, after repulsing the Romans with heavy losses on both sides, he uttered the famous phrase 
"One more such victory and I must return to Epeiros alone!". The Herakleians still felt the victory deserved 
commemoration, striking a series of nomoi with victorious Herakles. The style of these Pyrrhic era coins is so different
for the somewhat stodgy formalized style of their predecessors that is it likely they were prepared with the assistance 
of workmen brought from Epeiros.