| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 3 | Auction date: 7 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 4 Price realized: 2,500 EUR (Approx. 2,945 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Lucania. Thourioi circa 350-300 BC. Distater AR 25 mm, 15,76 g Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated on its bowl with Skylla raising his left arm / Bull butting right on plain ground line; ΘOYPIΩN above; in exergue, fish right. Extremely Fine Noe, Thurian D14; HN Italy 1804; SNG ANS 961 (same obv. die); Gillet 224 Between 350–300 BC, the city of Thurii (also spelled Thourioi) in Magna Graecia issued a remarkable series of Distaters - large silver coins valued at two staters. Founded around 444 BC near the site of destroyed Sybaris, Thurii became a prosperous Panhellenic colony with strong ties to Athens and a reputation for cultural and intellectual richness. The distaters from this period are notable for their refined artistry and complex iconography, reflecting both local pride and broader Hellenistic influences. The obverse typically features the head of Athena, often helmeted and elaborately adorned, symbolizing both civic identity and connection to Athens. The reverse shows a majestic bull charging left, sometimes with additional symbols like Nike or inscriptions reading "ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ" (Thouriōn), indicating the issuing city. These coins were struck in high-quality silver and intended for significant commercial or military transactions, highlighting Thurii's continued economic importance despite regional conflicts. The distater format itself-relatively rare among Greek cities-suggests a desire to project prestige and accommodate broader trade networks. Thurii's distaters not only demonstrate advanced numismatic technique but also serve as cultural statements, blending local Italic styles with Classical Greek aesthetics during a politically dynamic period in southern Italy. Starting price: 2500 EUR |  |
