The stater of Lokroi Epizephyrioi belongs to the characteristic silver coinage of Magna Graecia. Lokroi, situated on the southern coast of present-day Calabria, was one of the more important Greek poleis of Bruttium. Founded by Locrian colonists, the city maintained a strong political and religious identity for centuries.
The present type draws directly upon the highly influential coinage of Corinth and its colonies. The obverse depicts Pegasus flying left, while the reverse features the head of Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet, also facing left. This was the classic iconographic scheme of Corinthian staters, subsequently adopted by numerous mints throughout the Greek world during the 4th century BC.
The local origin of the issue is clearly indicated by the legend ΛOKPΩN “of the Locrians”. Its presence distinguishes the coinage of Lokroi from its Corinthian prototypes while emphasizing the autonomous character of the polis. At the same time, the adoption of the widely recognizable Pegasus and Athena type facilitated the circulation of these coins within the broader commercial networks of southern Italy and the Greek world.
Ex. Bertolami Fine Arts, Auction 309, Lot 255.
Ex. Nomos Obolos 15 (24 May 202), Lot 51.
Greece
Bruttium, Lokroi Epizephyrioi, Stater 350-275 BC
Obverse: pegasus with straight wings, flying to left
Reverse: head of Athena to left, wearing Corinthian helmet
ΛOKPΩN
Diameter 21 mm, weight 8.61 g
