Nomos 6

Bruttium, Kroton. Circa 300-250 BC. Octobol (?) or Half stater (Silver, 16mm, 3.12 g 3). Youthful male head to right, beardless and wearing a taenia. Rev. ΚΡΟ Owl with closed wings standing left; at feet to left, grain ear on stalk. HN III 2195. SNG ANS 421. SNG Cop. 1809. An attractive, toned example, quite scarce in this condition. Minor marks on the obverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Ex Lanz 20, 13 April 1981, 41.

This coin is rather perplexing. It has been described as being a third stater (SNG Copenhagen), a half stater (SNG ANS) or an octobol (HN III) and it is unlikely that they can all be right! It is of the reduced standard that came in around the time of the invasion of Pyrrhus and resulted in staters that range around 6.30-6.60; this ought to make it a half stater. The head is also curious; could it be that of a young Herakles or of a river god (though one who seems to lack the usual horn)? However, his athletic physique might indicate that he represents the famous Olympic wrestling victor, Milo of Kroton, one of the city’s most renowned citizens.