Stater

Historical Context: This silver stater, issued by the ancient Greek city of Dyrrachion between 400 BC and 330 BC, marks a critical period as a prominent Adriatic trading hub. As a Corinthian colony, Dyrrachion's coinage, adhering to the Corinthian weight standard, facilitated extensive commerce across the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. This era saw Dyrrachion navigate complex geopolitics, including interactions with Illyrian tribes and the rising power of Macedon, underscoring the city's strategic importance and economic vitality.

Artistry: The design is characteristic of Dyrrachion's output, drawing from Corinthian and Korkyran prototypes. The obverse typically features a cow standing left, head reverted, suckling a calf, a motif symbolizing prosperity and fertility. The reverse displays a robust club, often accompanied by a magistrate's monogram or symbol, an attribute associated with Herakles, a revered regional deity. While engravers remain anonymous, the stylistic execution reflects the refined yet robust aesthetic of Classical Greek coinage, emphasizing clear, well-defined forms.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this stater weighs 8.44 grams and measures 21 millimeters, consistent with the Corinthian standard. Key high-points for evaluation include the musculature and head of the cow and calf on the obverse, and the details of the club and any accompanying symbols on the reverse. A premium example exhibits a strong, even strike across a well-prepared flan, ensuring full rendering of all design elements, with minimal die wear or flan imperfections.