Donation of the Lady Mineia

407, Lot: 13. Estimate $100. Sold for $90. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Paestum (Poseidonia). Circa 90-44 BC. Æ Semis (14.5mm, 3.01 g, 6h). Head of female right; MINEIA • M • F behind / Two-story building. Crawford, Paestum 38b; HN Italy 1258. Good Fine, dark green-brown patina.

This coin presents a rare instance of a woman signing as the sponsor of a coinage issue. Mineia is also known from contemporary inscriptions as a major benefactor of the city of Paestum. The building, a public structure of some sort, may be another of her donations to the city, and it is even conceivable the female head is a portrait of Mineia herself.