CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 380-325 BC. Diobol (Silver, 12 mm, 1.03 g, 6 h). Head of Athena wearing Attic helmet adorned with a hippocamp to right; behind head, Σ. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΝΤ Youthful Herakles, bare-headed, seated to left on a stool covered by a lion skin; in his right hand he holds a club resting on his right knee, and rests his left on his stool . HN III 909. Vlasto 1232. Very rare. Clearly struck, well-centered and nicely toned. Good very fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, and that of Leo Mildenberg, acquired from Jakob Hirsch in 1956 for $100.

This is one of the many depictions of Herakles to be found on Tarentine coinage: here we see him resting from his exertions, sitting on a stool with legs ending in lions' paws, propping his club on his right knee. He has clearly finished a struggle with a powerful opponent like the Nemean Lion and needs to catch his breath (for the struggle, see, below, lots 30-32, 39-40 and 42-43 - Tarentine diobols with Herakles kneeling or standing). There is also a figure of the infant Herakles strangling snakes on another Tarentine diobol: below lot 44.