Nomos 1

BRUTTIUM, Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.12 g 4). Lion’s head facing Rev. ΡΗΓΙΝΟΝ Laureate head of Apollo to right; behind, olive sprig. Herzfelder 81. HN III 2496. SNG ANS 657. Very rare. Well struck in high relief with a beautiful head of Apollo in the finest late 5th century style. Attractively toned and beautifully detailed, extremely fine.

From the Spina collection, ex Triton VIII, 10 January 2005, 51.

The late coinage of Rhegion is really very impressive in its compact monumentality, with flan-filling types that are very well designed. Unlike contemporary Syracusan issues, which were often struck from dies that were larger than the flans - thus resulting in off-struck coins with incomplete designs, the tetradrachms of Rhegion are usually very carefully made. The high relief of the lion’s head on the obverse is truly magnificent, while the head of Apollo is a perfect portrayal of an idealized young aristocrat.