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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Further Selections from the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection of Coins of Velia

233, Lot: 61. Estimate $100.
Sold for $175. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Velia. Circa 440/35-400 BC. AR Nomos (19mm, 7.58 g, 7h). Head of Athena left, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with griffin and wreath; Φ behind / Lion attacking stag right. Williams 159 (O105/R123); HN Italy 1270. VF, toned, obverse slightly off center.


From the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXII (7 December 1994), lot 1089 (part of).

Classical Numismatic Group is pleased to offer another selection of coinage from Magna Graecia from the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection. As with his previously offered Tarentum and Metapontion collections, this selection of the coinages of Velia contains a variety of issues, some rarely seen at auction.

Velia, situated on the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy south of Poseidonia, was founded circa 540 BC by colonists from Phokaia in western Asia Minor who had fled their homeland following the Persian conquest. Its coinage commenced soon after the city’s foundation and its types (forepart of lion devouring prey / incuse square) and denomination (Phokaian silver drachm) reflect the Asian origin of the early citizenry of Velia. Later, in the 5th century, the weight standard of the Velian coinage was assimilated to that of the Achaean cities of Magna Graecia producing a nomos of about 8 grams. The type of a lion, or a lion attacking or feeding on its prey, remained popular at Velia throughout the two and a half centuries of its silver coinage, which ceased just prior to the city’s alliance with Rome, negotiated circa 275 BC.

Additional coins from the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection are offered in the Large Lots section of the sale.