SICILY, Abakainon

AR Litra. 0.7g, 11mm MINTED: SICILY, Abakainon, circa 420-390 BC REF: cf. HGC 2, 21 (for rev type); cf. SNG ANS 1293 (same) OBVERSE: Laureate, bearded head right.

REVERSE: ABA, Sow and piglet standing left.

Provenance:

Ex Lewis Egnew Collection (Superior Stamps & Coins, 30 May 1995, lot 7115)

Grade/Notes:

Fine. Toned. Slightly chipped edge.

Extremely rare and unpublished variety.  This reverse commonly encountered with the 3/4 facing female head rather than this bearded male head.

Historical Notes:

Abakainon was a town of the Sicels, the Italic tribe who dwelt in the eastern regions of Sicily.  The town was about 4 miles inland from the northeastern coast of Sicily, where the expansive oak forests of the Nebrodi Mountains provided food for large roaming herds of swine that lived there.