CAMPANIA. Hyria. Circa 395-385 BC. Didrachm or Nomos (Silver, 21 mm, 7.46 g, 4 h). Head of Hera Lakinia facing slightly to right, wearing stephane ornamented with palmettes and pearl necklace. Rev. YDINA Man-headed bull walking slowly to right. Basel 37 (this coin). HN Italy 540. Rutter 126 (HO47/HR112). Sambon 794. Rare. An exceptionally attractive example of monumental style, boldly struck and undoubtedly among the finest known. A few light marks on the obverse and with a die break at 6 o'clock on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.




No historiographical or archeological sources tell us whether Hyria was a city or a tribe (i.e. 'the Hyrians'). However, die links of its didrachms to Nola, the Fenserni, Neapolis and Thourioi show close relationships to neighboring communities, and the striking reminiscence of the dramatic facing head of Hera Lakinia on this coin to Kimon's facing head of Arethousa gives evidence to Syracusan influence in an area that would become one of the targets of Dionysios' northern expansionism in the 380s BC.