LUCANIA. Thourioi. Distater (Circa 350-300 BC).

Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet, decorated with Skylla throwing a stone.
Rev: ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ / EYΦA.
Bull butting right; two fish in exergue.

Noe J, 16; HN Italy 1823.

After the foundation of Thurium (444 BC), there was a reduction in the weight of Staters in all the cities on the Ionian Sea, probably due to the period of crisis following the burning of the Pythagorean schools. The coins of Thurium spread considerably in the region, making up for the rarefaction of those of the other mints. It is difficult to say why the minting of these Distaters was decided, which became regular after the detachment from Athens, evidenced by the type of obverse showing Athena's helmet no longer encircled by the laurel wreath but decorated with Scylla. Thurium indeed supported Athens in the war against Syracuse, but refused to recognise it as motherland in 434/3 BC

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 15.51 g.
Diameter: 26 mm.