Lot 2479

Description

Italy, Lucania, Velia, (c.440/35-400 B.C.), silver nomos, 20mm, (7.61 g), obv. head of Athena left, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with griffin and wreath, behind **F*, rev. lion attacking stag right, legend above around, (cf.S.453, Williams 159 (O105/R123), HN Italy 1270, HGC 1, 1318). Very fine, toned, obverse slightly off center, scarce.

Ex Spink America Auction Sale December 1, 1998 (lot 9070) with ticket.
Velia, situated on the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy south of Poseidonia, was founded circa 540 BC by colonists from Phokaia in western Asia Minor who had fled their homeland following the Persian conquest. Its coinage commenced soon after the city's foundation and its types (forepart of lion devouring prey / incuse square) and denomination (Phokaian silver drachm) reflect the Asian origin of the early citizenry of Velia. Later, in the 5th century, the weight standard of the Velian coinage was assimilated to that of the Achaean cities of Magna Graecia producing a nomos of about 8 grams. The type of a lion, or a lion attacking or feeding on its prey, remained popular at Velia throughout the two and a half centuries of its silver coinage, which ceased just prior to the city's alliance with Rome, negotiated c.275 BC.