★ Ex Mildenberg, Virzi and S. Pozzi Collections! ★

LUCANIA. Herakleia. Circa 281-278 BC. Diobol (Silver, 12 mm, 0.86 g, 3 h). Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin. Rev. ⸠HPAKΛ-[HIΩN] the infant Herakles, nude, crouching to right, strangling a serpent in each hand; in exergue, club. HN III 1422. Pozzi (Boutin) 448 ( this coin ). Virzi 42 ( this coin ). Van Keuren 125. Very rare. Toned. About very fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, from the collections of L. Mildenberg, L. Virzi, and S. Pozzi Naville I, 4 April 1921, 448, said to be from the collection of E. Wigan.

The reverse refers to the myth where Hera, who hated Herakles for being the illegitimate offspring of an adulterous union between her husband, Zeus, and the mortal Alkmena, sent venomous snakes to kill the infant while he was napping in his cradle. Herakles, already exhibiting the superhuman strength that was to define him in later life, strangled both before they could harm him.