★ Pleasantly toned Stater of Sybaris ★

Lucania. Sybaris circa 530-510 BC.
Stater AR

30 mm, 8,25 g

Bull standing to left, head to right; VM in exergue / Incuse bull standing to right, head to left.

Attractive light tone with hints of golden iridescence, near extremely fine

SNG ANS 828-44; HN Italy 1729; HGC 1, 1231.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 102, 3 November 2022, lot 4. The stater of Sybaris is a fascinating coin that reflects the wealth and cultural significance of the ancient Greek city of Sybaris, located in southern Italy. Sybaris was one of the most prosperous cities in Magna Graecia, the region of Greek colonies in Italy, and it became legendary for its luxury and opulence, giving rise to the term "sybaritic," meaning indulgent or luxurious. Sybaris was founded around 720 BC by Greek settlers from Achaea. The city quickly grew wealthy due to its fertile land, strategic position for trade, and access to valuable resources. Sybaris established itself as a dominant power in the region, amassing great wealth, which is reflected in its coinage. The stater of Sybaris is particularly notable for its simple yet striking design. On the obverse of the coin, there is typically a depiction of a bull, standing or walking, facing to the left. The bull was the emblem of the city and symbolized strength and fertility, likely chosen for its importance to agriculture and its association with the river god Achelous, who was often depicted as a bull. The presence of the bull also reflects the cultural and religious practices of the city, where the animal held significant symbolic value. The reverse side of the Sybaris stater is usually incuse, meaning that the design is pressed into the metal rather than raised. This incuse technique was an innovative feature in Greek coinage and was characteristic of early coins from southern Italy. The design on the reverse mirrors the bull on the obverse, creating a distinctive and easily recognizable coin. The significance of the stater of Sybaris lies not just in its design, but in what it represents about the city itself. The wealth of Sybaris was legendary, and the production of these staters was a way to project that wealth and power to both local citizens and foreign traders. The coin was a symbol of the city's prosperity, agricultural fertility, and its dominance in trade across the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, Sybaris's success also made it a target for rivals. The city was famously destroyed around 510 BC by its neighbor Croton, after which it never fully recovered its former glory. The destruction of Sybaris marked the end of its dominance, but the coins that remain are a testament to its once-great influence in the ancient world.