CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 325-280 BC. Diobol (Silver, 13 mm, 1.06 g, 2 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with a hippocamp and a pendant earring. Rev. ΤΑΡ Herakles, nude but for a lion skin headdress, standing to right, his left knee raised, battling the Nemean lion; between Herakles' legs, Ζ; below left, uncertain symbol. HN III -. Vlasto 1399 var. A very rare variant with Herakles' left knee raised. Beautifully toned and most attractive. Extremely fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions.

This reverse shows is a more violent struggle than on the previous lot where Herakles has his legs straight: here his left leg is bent. Interestingly enough, he is also wearing a lion's skin headdress; most examples show him with his head bare.