ITALY. Inland Etruria, uncertain mint. c. 3rd century BC.
ITALY. Inland Etruria, uncertain mint. c. 3rd century BC.
AE14.5, 1.87g (14.5mm, 6h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress / Maltese dog running left; below, Etruscan M.
Pedigree: Ex Künker 295 (2017), lot 151; Ex E. J. Haeberlin collection.
References: HN Italy 70. Vecchi EC -. SNG Cop. 51
Grade: Rough and corroded surfaces. Highly interesting coin with Haeberlin's inventory number attached to the coin. Good VF. (gk1643)
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This early bronze from the 3rd century BC was struck just prior to the expansive growth of Rome. Etruria is the area of modern day Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria. The Etruscans were the dominant culture in Italy until the rise of the Roman Republic. In fact, a sequence of Etruscan kings ruled Rome until c. 509 BC when the Roman Republic was founded. This coin has an interesting little paper ticket attached to it. Long ago collectors or museum curators would adhere a ticket at times to the coin reflecting an inventory number. This comes from the collection of the famous numismatist Ernst Haeberlin.