Nomos 26

SICILY. Stiela. Circa 415-400 BC. Litra (Silver, 12 mm, 0.82 g, 11 h). Laureate youthful male head, probably Apollo, to left, with light sideburns; in the field to left, water plant. Rev. ΣΤΙ Forepart of a bearded man-headed bull, walking to left (Acheloos as the river god Simetos). Buceti 4. Campana, Stiela 5. De Luynes 1141. SNG ANS 1367 var. (hemilitra). Rare. A particularly attractive piece, with a splendid head of Apollo and lovely river god, both in the finest Classical style. Attractively toned. Very minor scuff on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Hess-Leu [7], 16 April 1957, 94.

The ancient city of Stiela seems to be half way between the modern towns of Piazza Armerina, in central Sicily, and Termini Imerese, on the northern coast. Little is known of it apart from its coins.