Litra

Historical Context: This silver litra originates from Kamarina, a prominent Greek city situated on the southern coast of Sicily. Its production period, spanning 461-440 BC, is particularly significant as it immediately follows the city's refoundation in 461 BC, after its prior destruction by Syracuse. Consequently, this coin serves as a tangible symbol of Kamarina's re-established autonomy and economic vitality during the early Classical period. This era saw many Sicilian poleis asserting their independence from larger regional powers. As a fractional denomination, the litra played a crucial role in facilitating daily commercial transactions within the flourishing city-state.

Artistry: While no specific engraver is historically attributed to this diminutive issue, its design embodies the nascent Early Classical style prevalent in Sicilian numismatics. The obverse typically presents a laureate head of Herakles, rendered with a developing naturalism that begins to transcend archaic stiffness. The reverse commonly features a swan, a motif often associated with the local nymph Kamarina, gracefully depicted to effectively utilize the small flan space. Despite the coin's modest dimensions, the overall artistic composition reflects the refined aesthetic and skilled craftsmanship characteristic of the period's numismatic achievements.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 0.80 grams and measuring 12 millimeters, this silver litra exemplifies the precision of ancient minting on a miniature scale. Critical high-points for assessing wear include Herakles' hair and facial contours on the obverse, and the swan's head and delicate wing details on the reverse. Given the small flan size, minor off-centering is frequently observed, making a well-centered strike with full detail on both sides, particularly at the edges, highly prized. Planchet quality, die state, and the sharpness of the strike are paramount considerations when determining the overall technical grade of these fractional issues.