GREEK COINS
LUCANIA
Velia. Circa 535-510 BC. Drachm (Silver, 13mm, 3.89 g). Forepart of lion to right, devouring leg of stag. Rev. Incuse square. Dewing 451. HN III 1259. Williams 13b (O9/R6, this coin illustrated ). A beautifully toned coin with a fine pedigree. Extremely fine. From the William N. Rudman collection, Triton V, 15 January 2002, 1120, Triton III, 30 November 1999, 93, Triton I, 2 December 1997, 139, Numismatica Ars Classica 9, 16 April 1996, 85 and ex Naville V, 18 June 1923, 587. Velia was founded by refugee Phokaians in circa 540. Their earliest coins were unlike anything found in contemporary Magna Graecia; rather, they harked back to the issues of Asia Minor with these pieces looking very much like the hektes struck in the mother city, Phokaia. The early drachms were issued in considerable numbers but many are off struck with the lion’s mouth or entire head off the flan; this piece is a pleasing exception to that rule.