SICILY, Himera. Circa 483/2-472/1 BC. AR Didrachm (19.5mm, 7.88 g, 8h). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 69. Estimated: $ 750

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

SICILY, Himera. Circa 483/2-472/1 BC. AR Didrachm (19.5mm, 7.88 g, 8h). Cock standing left / Crab within shallow incuse circle. Westermark, Himera, Group II, 67 (O11/R57); HGC 2, 438; SNG Fabricius 202 (same dies). Toned, a couple of scratches and delaminations on reverse. VF.

From Collection JLT, purchased from Jencek Historical Enterprises, March 2011. Ex Duplicates from the American Numismatic Society Collection (Gemini VII, 9 January 2011), lot 1105 (part of, since professionally conserved); ANS inventory 1984.65.28 (weight listed with thick horn silver deposits).

Founded circa 649 BC by settlers from Zankle, Himera was the only Greek colony on the north coast of the island. On evidence of its late 6th century coinage it would appear to have enjoyed a high degree of prosperity at this time, despite the relative isolation of its position. As at the other two Chalkidian colonies (Naxos and Zankle), the standard denomination of Himera's archaic coinage was the drachm of about 5.73 grams, being one-third of the Euboeic stater of 17.2 grams. It is generally assumed that the cock was the civic 'badge' of Himera, having been adopted in honor of the Euboian city of Karystos, perhaps the original home of many of the first colonists. In 483 BC, Himera was captured by Theron, tyrant of Akragas, and thereafter the crab of Akragas appeared as the reverse type on the coinage of Himera.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session One – Lot 1-308 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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