Obolos 37

CAMPANIA. Nuceria Alfaterna. Circa 250-225 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 21 mm, 7.15 g, 7 h). 'nuvcrinum alafaternum' (in Oscan). Head of Apollo Karneios to left, with ram's horn; behind, dolphin swimming downwards. Rev. Dioscuros, nude, standing facing, head to left, holding spear with his left hand and bridle of horse prancing to left, behind him, with his left. HN III 608. Sambon 1008. SNG ANS 560 (same dies). SNG Paris 1102 (same dies). Very rare and nicely toned. Struck slightly off centre and light scratches, otherwise, good very fine.

From the Collection of Prof. James M. Collier, acquired on 30 November 2008 from Mieke Zilverberg at TEFAF 2008 (Catalog 'Pan' 2008, item # 7), ex Platt FPL, November 1998, 2 & Platt FPL, March 1998, 4.

This lot is sold to benefit the Collier Prize in Ancient Numismatics offered by the American Numismatic Society.

Tacitus (Tac. Ann. 14.17) reports, that in 59 gladiatorial games held in the amphitheatre of Pompeii led to streetfighting between sets of fans from Pompeii and Nuceria resulting in many casualties. As a consequence the Roman senate banned all gladiatorial games in the city for ten years! A famous fresco from Pompeii (now at the Museo Archeologico in Naples) depicts the scene of fighting in and around the theatre in quite some detail.