LUCANIA. Herakleia. Circa 432-420 BC. Diobol (Silver, 12 mm, 1.14 g, 3 h). Lightly bearded head of Herakles to right, wearing lion's skin headdress. Rev. HE Lion prowling to right. HN III 1358. SNG ANS 9 ( same dies ). Van Keuren 25. Of fine style, beautifully toned, well-struck, and nicely centered on a full flan. Slightly rough surfaces, otherwise, good very fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Münzen und Medaillen 79, 28 March 1994, 32 and Peus 284, 9 December 1974, 53.

This coin is part of the first series of Herakleian diobols, which bear heads of Herakles on their obverses and a prowling lion on their reverses. The Herakles heads come in two types, as a beardless young man, or as a mature man with either a full beard or a carefully trimmed light one, as here.