BRUTTIUM. Rhegium. c. 450-445 BC
BRUTTIUM. Rhegium. c. 450-445 BC
AR Tetradrachm, 17.27g (29.8mm, 3h). Lion’s head facing / RECI – NOS Apollo Iocastus seated l. on stool, himation over lower limbs, holding sceptre in r. hand and resting l. on hip; all within laurel wreath.
Pedigree: From an Astarte sale in 2003
References: Jameson 452. C.C. 34 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer pl. 99, 287. Herzfelder 1. Historia Numorum Italy 2477.
Grade: Large flan but slightly o/c on obverse. Overall wear with cabinet toning. Reverse is complete but has overall wear. In good condition for type. VF+ (gk1374)
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Ancient Rhegium (Reggio) was founded in the 8th century BC by the Greeks. In fact, it was the second colony in current day Italy colonized by the Greeks. The colony was settled by the Greeks from Chalcis. Rhegium is located right at the southern tip of Italy. The reverse of this coin reflects the legendary found of Rhegium, King Iocastus, who was said to be the son of the mythological character Aeolis. Aeolis in turn was the son of Hellen, the father of all Greeks. Rhegium was one of the most important cities in Magna Gratia both economically and politically. This coin was struck about 20 years prior to the beginning of the Peloponnesian War. During the War Rhegium aligned itself with the super Athens.
The obverse of the coin shows the shell of a lion’s head. The coins of Rhegium are among the most fantastic of all Greek coins.