Summary

Didrachm issued by Cales, Campania, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 268 BCE.
Minted by Cales (modern Calvi).

Obverse Description

Head of the Greek goddess Pallas Athena (sometimes called the Roman Minerva) to right wearing a crested Corinthian helmet, earring and necklace. Behind her head is a spear head and below a poorly formed letter, perhaps O

Reverse Description

The Greek goddess of Victory, Nike, driving a fast biga to left holding reins in left hand and whip in right; in exergue, CALENO

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Cales (modern Calvi) was the site of a Roman Latin Colony from 334 BC. Occupied by the Aurunci, a group from the Latium-Campania border region of Italy, it was apparently part of the area conquered by Rome circa 313 BC after which Cales became the centre of Roman rule in Campania. This didrachm appears to be contemporary with the second Roman didrachm issue (RRC 20 Hercules/Wolf and twins) and struck to the same standard, 7.1 g. Cales became an important Roman base during the second Punic war, though like many Italian cities it lost faith in Roman victory briefly in 209 BC.

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