Lucanian coins were minted in the ancient region of Lucania, which is located in what is now southern Italy.
Lucania was inhabited by various Italic tribes and later came under Greek influence. The coinage of Lucania reflects its interactions with neighboring Greek colonies and the broader Mediterranean world. As Lucanian cities developed their own urban centers and economic networks, their coinage began to reflect local identity and cultural influences more prominently.
Lucanian coins from the 4th century BC onwards often bore the names or symbols of Lucanian cities, such as Heraclea, Sybaris, or Poseidonia (Paestum).
These coins served not only as a means of exchange but also as a way for cities to assert their autonomy and promote their local identity.
During the Hellenistic period, Lucania came under the influence of various external powers, including the Greek kingdoms of Macedonia and the Hellenistic kingdoms that emerged after the conquests of Alexander the Great.
This period saw a continuation of coinage in Lucania, with coins sometimes featuring portraits of Hellenistic rulers or symbols associated with these kingdoms.
With the eventual Roman conquest of Lucania in the 3rd century BC, the production of local coinage declined as Lucanian cities became integrated into the Roman monetary system.
However, Lucanian coinage left a lasting legacy, providing valuable insights into the region’s history, economy, and cultural exchanges during antiquity.
These coins are highly sought after by collectors.
AR Didrachm 415-400 BC Lucania, Heraklea – or nomos – Classical Masterpiece
51,875.00 US$
Weight 7,71 gr. | Silver Ø 21mm.
Catalog: Jameson 232 (these dies) | AMB 104 (these dies)
Obv. Wreathed head of Athena right, hair bound at nape of neck, against background of aegis.
Rev. Heracles seated lelft on rock draped with lion skin, holding one handled jug in right hand and supporting himself on left arm below, club and shell resting against rock, HPAKΛEIΩN on left
This Nomos is among the oldest Heraclean issues. According to scholars, it is ascribable to a die-engraver from Taras. The coin bears an unusual representation of Athena: without helmet, but framed on the adorned background of the aegis (shield covered with goat-skin), surrounded by snakes. The reverse shows an equally unusual Heracles: the hero is not occupied in one of his amazing labours, instead he is caught at a moment of rest, reclining (this scheme was subsequently resumed by Croton on its later coins) on a rock draped with a lion-skin (the most characteristic attribute of the hero) and holding a chalice in his right hand. A club leans against the rock. The relationship between Heracles, wine, and the Dionysian world is known from various sources: myth (Heracles was at the service of the vine-dresser Sileus Heracles and Folus), archaeology (the well-known drunken Heracles from Herculaneum, before 79 AD), and literature. The great lyric poet Stesichorus (VI Cent. BC), probably born in Metauro (a Locrese colony not far from the modern Gioia Tauro in Calabria), refers in song to the struggle between the Centauri and Heracles over a pitcher of wine, a gift of Dionysus to the centaur Folus: “He took the right cup – it was a bowl / gigantic (nine litres / or thereabouts). He lifted it / he gulped down the mixture offered him by Folus”.
An interesting portrait and a fascinating and finely detailed reverse composition of the finest classical style. Struck on a very broad flan and exceptionally complete for the issue. Of the highest rarity and interest. Among the finest known specimens of one of the most desirable coins of Magna Graecia.
Historia Numorum Italy 1362 RRR
Lucania Didrachm approx. 530 – 510 BC SYBARIS EF
6,950.00 US$
Weight 7.72 g. – Diameter 32mm
Catalog: SNG ANS 819-820; SNG Cop. 1390; HN Italy 1729.
Obv: Bull on decorated double stand line n.l. standing, head to the right turned back, above ΣΥ, the whole thing in an ornamental circle.
Rev: The obverse incl. SNG ANS 819-820; SNG Cop. 1390; HN Italy 1729.
From a European collection. Ex Roma Numismatics, Auction XV, London 2018, lot 24.
Didrachm ca. 334-300 BC Velia Lucania, Silver AU(50-53)
5,125.00 US$
Weight: 7.52 g – Diameter: 21.50 mm
Catalog: HN Italy:1296; SNG-Cop:1563; HGC:1-1314 // ΥΕΛΗΤΩΝ
Mint mark: Velia
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena left, wearing a Phrygian helmet with triple aigret crest, decorated with a sphinx. Monogram behind the neck guard.
Rev. Lion standing on the left, eating its prey; Λ above; monogram between legs.
Attractive cabinet patina.
Lucania Didrachm 334-300 BC Hyele/Velia VF-EF
4,810.00 US$
Catalog: Williams 379f; SNG Lockett 553
Weight: 7.56 g – Diameter: 21.00 mm
Obv.: head of Athena left, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with olive wreath
Rev.: lion advancing left, with right forepaw raised; ΥΕΛHΤΩΝ in exergue
An attractive piece with a distinguished pedigree!
Lucania Didrachm Around 280 BC. Velia Fine toning
3,425.00 US$
Weight: 7.62 g.
Catalog: SNG ANS 1400; SNG Munich 895; Williams, Velia 541ff., HN Italy 1318; HGC 1 1326.
Obv: Head of Athena in an Attic helmet to the left, Pegasus as a helmet ornament, palmette on the neck guard, behind it the square hallmark IE, above A, under the chin F.
Rev: Lion to the left. wrestling a deer to the ground.
Lucania Distater 400/350 BC Thurioi Almost EF
2,460.00 US$
Weight: 15.92 g. – Diameter 24.8 mm
Catalog: Noe, Thurian Distaters (NNM 71), F 14 HGC 1255 Rutter, HN 1805
Obv: Head of Athena with Attic Scylla helmet to the left
Rev: Pushing bull, in the fish section (not on planchet).
Fine toning – Attractive embossed shine in the recesses, Rare Tiny die crack and planchet defects in the obverse, almost extremely fine
From the collection of a provenance enthusiast.
Ex auctions Santamaria, May 4, 1961, 23 and Coin Galleries, April 14, 1993, 114.
Lucania Stater 560 – 510 BC, VF
2,410.00 US$
Weight: 7.63 g.
Catalog: BMC1; Sear 245.
Obv: Bull stands to the left, his head turned to the right
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