Summary
Coin issued by Neapolis, Campania, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 250 BC
Minted by Neapolis
Obverse Description
Head of the Greek god Apollo facing left with back of hair in a formal curl - no letters
Reverse Description
Forepart of man-headed bull swimming right; behind the Greek letters IS, above the Greek word NEOPOLITES (damaged by a scratch).
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
Coins, like this, bearing the Greek letter IS are dated to or just before the First Punic War (264-241 BC). Crawford reports that six different types of copper coins were in simulatneous production, this was the smallest denomination. The man-headed bull on the reverse was a river-god called Achelous who appeared as a suitor to a mortal in a myth in the form of a bull.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Lincoln, Eugene von Guerard, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 250 BC
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Issued By
Neapolis, Campania, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 250 BC
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Previous Collection
Eugene von Guerard, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, pre 1880
Listed in Eugene von Guerard's catalogue, vol.1, p.6. Purchased by Eugene von Guerard from the London coin dealer Mr Lincoln for 1 shilling. -
Material
Copper
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Axis
07
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
15 mm (Outside Diameter), 2.319 g (Weight)
slightly oval shape 14*15 mm
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Shape
Round
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References
cf. BMC. Italy page 110 no. 155 but no letters on obverse. cf. SNG ANS Part 1 No. 441
[Book] Poole, Reginald S. 1873. A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Italy., 110 Pages
[Book] Crawford, Michael H. 1985. Coinage & Money under the Roman Republic., 34-35 Pages
[Catalogue] Pullin, Ruth. 2011. Nature Revealed: Eugene von Guerard.
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Keywords
