ILLYRIA, Dyrrhachion 340-280 BC. AR stater (10,72 g). Cow standing right, suckling calf standing left, Γ above / ΔYP, Double stellate pattern; club to left. Some porosity. Lusterous surfaces. Very rare.
Proveniens:
Purchased from Classical Numismatic Group. . Dyrrhachion (present day Durrës in Albania) was founded by Greek colonists around 626 BC. It is also known as Epidamos and has a turbulent and partially unknown history. In 314 BC the city was conquered by Kassander, but he was thrown out by the Greeks from Korkyra (Korfu) who preferred to “lease” the city to the King of an Illyrian tribe, the Taulanti, and this coin were made under the Illyrian kings. Similar patterns are found on other Illyrian and Korkyrian staters, but those attributable to Dyrrhachion are rare. Later in the 3rd century BC, the city became an important port for the Romans entering the Greek mainland during the Illyrian wars, ending in 146 BC. Later it should be known as a stronghold for Pompey in his fight against Caesar, and for Brutus after the murder of Caesar. Augustus made the city into a Roman colony and granted the surrounding land to war veterans from Actium.
