Dea Moneta
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Banner Artemide LXI
Lot # 97
Greek Italy. Southern Lucania, The Lucanians. AR Drachm, c. 280-278 BC. Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev. Barley grain with leaf to right; club above leaf, ΛYK monogram to left; c/m: owl standing right, head facing, in incuse circle. HN Italy 2680; Robinson, Second, p. 51; Johnston pp. 17-8. AR. 2.96 g. 17.30 mm. About VF. The countermark with the owl found on this coin is an intriguing detail that adds an extra dimension to its history. Countermarks were often applied to coins for various reasons, such as to confirm their authenticity or to indicate their value in a particular place or time. In the case of this coin, the presence of the owl may have been used to signify the acceptance or validity of the coin in a specific commercial or territorial context. Additionally, it's worth noting that the countermark could belong to the Lucanian tribes, further enhancing its significance within the context of Southern Lucania. However it is difficult to determine the exact meaning of this countermark.