Neapolis
Didrachm circa 420-400, AR 7.37 g. Head of Athena r., wearing Attic helmet decorated with wreath. Rev. [ΝΕ]ΟΠΟVΙTEZ Bull walking r. on a double exergue-line; below, scallop and E – M. Sambon 375. Jameson 44 (this coin). Rutter 60 (this coin illustrated). Historia Numorum Italy 534.
Extremely rare. A fine portrait and a lovely old cabinet tone, minor marks and
areas of porosity on reverse, otherwise good very fine

Privately purchased from NAC in 2011. From the Arthur James Evans and Jameson collections.
This didrachm type provided the iconographic model for the preceding issue in the name of the Hyrani. The alliances that evolved between the Greek colony of Neapolis and the surrounding Oscan Italic peoples placed the city on a collision course with Rome, a city that sought to crush the expansion of Samnite (an Oscan people) power in the fourth century BC. In 327 BC, the Romans accused Neapolis of giving refuge to its Samnite enemies. When the city refused to break its Oscan ties, it was faced with a siege by the Roman army. Despite the presence of garrisons provided by the Samnites and the neighboring city of Nola, Neapolis was betrayed and captured. Nevertheless, the conquered city was granted remarkably lenient terms, subsequently becoming a Roman ally with equal rights.