CAMPANIA. Neapolis. Nomos - Didrachm (Circa 300-275 BC).

Obv: Head of nymph right, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; cornucopia behind, A below chin.
Rev: NEAΠOΛITΩN.
Man-headed bull standing right, head facing; above, crowning Nike flying right; Π below.

Sambon 479; HN Italy 579; HGC 1, 453.

Neapolis, the ‘new city’ founded by the Cumans, soon assumed a leading political and economic role in Campania. The city chose as its monetary emblem the head of Partenope, one of the sirens who killed herself with her sisters for failing to seduce Odysseus with her song. According to the myth, her body was found by the people of Neapolis, who honored her tomb and celebrated her every year with night races, in which athletes competed with evocative lit torches. The reverse side features a bull with a human face, representing the river Achelous, father of the siren Partenope. These types remained on the coins of Neapolis for the entire duration of silver production, from the 5th to the 3rd century BC.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.16 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.