Sicily, Morgantina, Litra, after 334 BC AR (g 1,12; mm...

Sicily, Morgantina, Litra, after 334 BC AR (g 1,12; mm 15; h 11) ENAKRIOS (retrograde), bust of Athena facing three-quarter l., wearing double-necklace and triple-crested Attic helmet, Rv. MORGANTINΩN, Heracles strangling the Nemean lion; below, club. Cfr. the second specimen known from Numismatica Ars Classica 4, 1991, lot 50: "For the obv. type (but three-quater r.), see Morgantina Studies II, 1989, pl. 1, 11-17 and for a Syracusan prototype, pl. 2, 1; for the reverse, the model may be the rare Tarentine diobol of the same period, Vlasto 1325. For a Timoleonic dating and south Italian connections, with associated issues, see again Morganitina Studies, pl. I, pp 9-14 and 31. The legend Enakrios (of the highest point = of the acropolis) may relate the coin either to a temple of Athena there, or to a garrison occupying the heights of the city". Apparently the second specimen known. An exceptionally interesting issue; lovely iridescent tone and extremely fine.