Drachm Xenon - Purba

Historical Context: This drachm, bearing the names of magistrates Xenon and Purba, was issued by the prosperous Illyrian city of Dyrrachion between 80 BC and 55 BC. During this late Hellenistic period, Dyrrachion, a vital Greek colony and port, maintained its autonomy while navigating the expanding influence of the Roman Republic. These silver issues were fundamental to regional commerce and served as a tangible assertion of the city's self-governance amidst the turbulent Roman civil wars impacting the Adriatic coast.

Artistry: The coin’s design adheres to the long-standing iconographic tradition of Dyrrachion, reflecting Hellenistic artistic principles with local significance. The obverse prominently features a cow suckling a calf, a motif often linked to the city's foundation myths or agricultural wealth. The reverse displays a double stellate pattern, typically enclosed within a square, accompanied by the names of the issuing magistrates, Xenon and Purba. The style is characteristic of late republican provincial Greek mints, emphasizing clear civic identification.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this drachm weighs approximately 3 grams and measures 18 millimeters, consistent with the series. Key high-points for wear assessment include the cow's head and back on the obverse, and the central points of the stellate design and the clarity of the magistrate's names on the reverse. Strike quality can vary; well-centered examples with full legends are prized. Flans are typically broad, though minor irregularities and occasional off-centering are common for issues of this period and mint.