didrachm of The Campani (Kampanoi), c. 415-405 BC

Rutter 9b (this coin)    7.65 g     Antikenmuseum Basel + Sammlung Ludwig 29
                                    Numismatica Ars Classica AG Auction 13 1998 no. 29
                                    Estimate 6,500 CHF, realized 5,200 CHF 

type Rutter 3-10



Didrachm, circa 415-400, AR 7.65 g. 
Head of Athena r., wearing crested Athenian helmet with olive wreath.
Rev. KAMPANON above man-headed bull walking slowly l.
Sambon 769 (this coin). Rutter 9b (this coin). Jameson 1854 (this coin).
Extremely rare and the finest example known. Extremely fine.
Ex Sambon-Canessa, collezione Maddalena, 1903, 81; Feuardent Frères, collection Collignon, 1919, 6 sales; Maddalena and Collignon collections.


According to Rutter: 
Hyrians people without a city-site.
Campani located in a well-known Campanian city (supported by Polybius, who describes Capua and its surroundings).
Rutter: "I suggest that the name Campani referred in the fifth century to the people of Capua and its immediate neighbourhood,
and only later acquired a wider geographical connotation".

Head of the goddess similar to Thurium.
Stylistic comparison can be established with issues from Naples, which, according to Rutter, bacame the sole mint after 420, common to all Campanian cities. 

[text mostly from the catalogue Numismatica Ars Classica AG Auction 13 1998 no. 28]