Catalogus
| Uitgever | Thourioi |
|---|---|
| Jaar | 325 BC - 300 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Waarde | Stater (3) |
| Valuta | Achaean drachm |
| Samenstelling | Silver |
| Gewicht | 7.85 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Dikte | |
| Vorm | Round (irregular) |
| Techniek | Hammered |
| Oriëntatie | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Graveur(s) | |
| In omloop tot | |
| Referentie(s) | HN Italy#– |
| Beschrijving voorzijde | Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned, on the bowl, with Skylla hurling a stone to right and, on the neck guard, with a hippocamp, pendant earring and a pearl necklace. |
|---|---|
| Schrift voorzijde | |
| Opschrift voorzijde | |
| Beschrijving keerzijde | Bull butting to right, his head lowered and turned to his right; above, Nike flying to right, holding, with both hands, a wreath to crown the bull; below the bull`s body and head, ΕΥ - ΦΡ; on the groundline, between the bull`s hind legs, finch flapping its wings to right. |
| Schrift keerzijde | Greek |
| Opschrift keerzijde | ΕΥ ΦΡ ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ |
| Rand | |
| Muntplaats | |
| Oplage |
ND (325 BC - 300 BC) - - |
| Numisquare-ID | 6931701930 |
| Aanvullende informatie |
Historical Context: This silver stater from Thourioi, struck between 325 and 300 BC, belongs to a pivotal era in Magna Graecia. Thourioi, a prominent city in southern Italy, navigated a complex political landscape marked by conflicts with local tribes and powerful Syracuse. Its coinage, including this stater, served as a crucial symbol of its economic prosperity and enduring autonomy during the late Classical to early Hellenistic transition. The city's wealth, derived from its fertile lands, is frequently alluded to in its numismatic iconography.
Artistry: The truncated name "Euphr..." strongly suggests the masterful engraver Euphron, whose signed dies are renowned for their exquisite detail. This stater exemplifies the late Classical stylistic school, moving towards greater realism and dynamism. The obverse typically features a helmeted head of Athena, often adorned with intricate mythological figures like Skylla or a griffin. The reverse consistently depicts a powerful, charging bull, symbolizing the city's agricultural abundance and the river Crathis, a recurring motif in Thouriote coinage.
Technical/Grading: Weighing 7.85 grams and measuring 21 millimeters, this silver stater is a substantial piece. For optimal grading, key high-points on the obverse include the crest and ornamentation of Athena's helmet, as well as her facial features. On the reverse, the bull's head, horns, and the musculature of its charging body are critical. A technically superior strike would exhibit full detail on both sides, excellent centering, and a strong, even impression, capturing the intricate relief characteristic of Euphron's exceptional artistry.