Nomos 30

BRUTTIUM. Kroton. Circa 525-425 BC. Triobol (Silver, 12 mm, 1.24 g, 7 h), c. 450. ϘΡΟ (retrograde) Tripod with legs ending in lions' paws and three rings on the bowl; in the field to left, heron standing to right; border of dots. Rev. Large octopus with six arms. Cf. HN III 2128 and SNG ANS 331 (but with normal, eight-armed octopi). Cf. Savoca e16, 2017, 15 and Bertolami e61, 2018, 86 (same reverse die but with the heron on the right on the obverse). A very rare variant. Toned and clear, with bold types. Good very fine.

From the Dr. Paul Peter Urone Collection, acquired from F. Kovacs on 13 October 1987.

It is surprising that we sometimes find octopi with six arms on Greek coins struck in the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Since it is unlikely that any Greek, or anyone else, living near to the shores of the Mediterranean could be unfamiliar with these eight-armed creatures, their unusual appearance on coins has to be explained by either ignorance (which is impossible) or intention. Looking at this piece, and at the harmonious way this six-armed creature fills the flan, artistic license must be the explanation!