|
|
|
THE FACING HEAD COINS OF: LUCANIA, HERACLEA |
The facing head coins of Heraclea feature Athena wearing a crested helmet in the obverse. There are several reverse motifs. The didrachms show a standing Heracles holding a club, bow and lion's skin; or Heracles grappling with the Nemean lion. The drachms show an owl with closed wings standing on an olive branch. The artistic styles of the facing heads from Heraclea vary in quality and sophistication. At the higher end, they include splendid examples of coin art, with Athena’s portrait rendered with powerful intensity, yet also with wonderful subtlety and grace.
The dating follows van Keuren, The Coinage of Heraclea Lucaniae.
 |
c. 390–340 BC. AR Stater. Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 86, 5 May 2003, Lot number: 228. |
 |
c. 390–340 BC. AR Stater. Image Source: T. J. Buggey website. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Stater. Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 371, 24 April 2002, Lot number: 8. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Triton X, 9 January 2007, Lot number: 36. From the David Herman Collection. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Drachm. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 73, 13 September 2006, Lot number: 24. From the David Herman Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen Deutschland 11 (7 November 2002), lot 398. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Drachm. Antiqua, Catalogue XIII, Item 13C005. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 27, 12 May 2004, Lot number: 30. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Drachm. Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 25, 25 June 2003, Lot number: 21. Ex A.D.M. collection. |
 |
c. 281–278 BC. AR Drachm. Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 86, 5 May 2003, Lot number: 230. |
|
|
 |
|
