Lot 3055

Description

Italy, Lucania, Velia, (c.440/435-400 B.C.), silver nomos, stater or didrachm, Period III (Earliest Athena workshop), obv. head of Athena to left, wearing crested Athenian helmet with griffin and wreath, behind, rev. lion walking to right, **UEL H T EWN* in exergue, **Q* below lion, line border, (cf.S.454, Williams 160 [these dies, Obv.106, rev.123], SNG Ash. 1131 [same dies]). Toned, Slightly off centred obverse, otherwise very fine, good metal and a scarce mint.

The coin is housed in a container and packaged in a wooden box and sold by the Franklin Mint as an authentic ancient coin (text in Japanese).