Description
| Greek. Lucania, Thourioi. Nomos / Stater, c. 280-268 BC. | |
| Obverse: | Head of Athena right, wearing helmet decorated with griffin. |
| Reverse: | Bull bumping right, above owl, in exergue ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ. |
| Dimensions: | AR, 6.40 g, 20 mm, 6h. |
| References: | SNG Ashmolean 999 (same dies); NAC Auction K (2000), 1072 (same dies). |
| Condition: | Areas of weakness on avers, some scratches on revers, light toning. Very fine. |
| Provenance: | From a private German collection, built up over the last 40 years, acquired in the 1970s or 1980s from the Dr. Schulze (jurist from Wiesbaden, Germany) collection. |
| Comment: | This coin is a rare variant of a well known type. It was minted in the Tarentine standard introduced around 280 BC in Thourioi when it was conquered by Tarent. Interestingly the owl over the bull only appear on coins from Thourioi after 280 BC. Probably it was a sign of the Tarentine standard or reign. In Tarent the owl was often used on drachms. |
