Silver stater from Kroton, 7.40 g.

Silver stater from Kroton, 7.40 g.

Croton (Kroton), Bruttium, Italy

c. 420-390 BCE

Obverse: Eagle standing to right on Ionic capital; olive branch to right.

Reverse: Tripod with lion-paw feet; in left field, grain of barley; ϘΡΟΤ (KROT) upward at right: Kroton abbreviated.

Style/Period: Greek (Classical)

Kroton was founded by the Achaeans c. 710 BCE, on instructions from the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The reverse of this coin refers to the founding by displaying the Delphic tripod, in which the priestess of the oracle sat while giving prophecies. Kroton was also well known for its athletics, so the tripod could also refer to the prizes given in athletic games. The grain of barley could be present to advertise a local product or to refer to the city’s wealth. The obverse pays tribute to the athletic dominance of Kroton by depicting an eagle standing on an Ionic capital. The eagle was a symbol of Zeus, to whom the Olympic Games were dedicated; a similar eagle on an Ionic capital occurs on contemporary coins of Elis, which controlled the sanctuary at Olympia (Head, 423, fig. 232).
Brenna Ori, LU '17

Bibliography: B. V. Head, Historia Numorum. A Manual of Greek Numismatics (Oxford 1911; reprint Chicago 1967) 94-96; C. M. Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1976) 167, 181.

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Bought at Coin Galleries Auction, April 3, 1971.

91.017

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890