BRUTTIUM. Rhegion. Circa 415/0-387 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 16.75 g, 7 h). Facing head of a lion. Rev. ΡHΓINON Head of Apollo to right, wearing laurel wreath; behind, olive sprig. Gillet 324 (same obverse die). Gulbenkian 146 (same obverse die). Herzfelder - (D62/-). HN Italy 2496. Beautifully toned and of exceptionally fine style. Two minor scuffs on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.




The high Classical tetradrachms from Rhegion are among the most impressive coins struck in Magna Graecia. They combine the finest Greek style with an exceptionally high relief on the city's coat of arms, the facing head of a lion. Our example was struck from a beautiful, yet hitherto unrecorded reverse die, closely reminiscent of the equally impressive R89 (Herzfelder 104). The similarities are most apparent in Apollo's face, the upward pointing leaves in the god's laurel wreath, and his parted hair, whereas the most notable difference lies in the rendering of the olive sprig.