Nomos 30

LUCANIA. Sybaris. Circa 550-510 BC. Hemiobol (Silver, 10 mm, 0.28 g, 6 h). VM Bull standing to left, head turned back to right; circular linear border. Rev. Ram's head to right, shown in outline form; border of dots. Demeester 11, otherwise unpublished. Unique and of great importance and interest. Nicely toned and well-centered. Good very fine/extremely fine.

From the Dr. Paul Peter Urone Collection and from the collection of J. Falm, Numismatica Ars Classica 82, 20 May 2015, 75, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 7, 1 March 1994, 165.

This extraordinary coin, which was unknown prior to its first appearance in 1994, provides us with a number of enigmas. It was published as an obol, but isn't it very light? After all, the equally rare and probably contemporary obol from this collection (lot 1029) weighs 0.46 g, not 0.28 g! Surely it is more likely that we have a somewhat heavy hemiobol rather than a very light obol. Additionally, the technique of the reverse design, composed of lines and pellets in relief, is immediately reminiscent of the then new Red Figure style of Attic pot painting, rather than the work of a normal contemporary die or gem engraver .