Acarnania. Leucas. Circa 470–450 BC. AR Stater

Acarnania. Leucas. Circa 470–450 BC. AR Stater (19 mm, 8.49 g).

Obv. Pegasus flying right; below, Λ.

Rev. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet; all within partially incuse square.

Refs: Boston MFA 1160; Calciati, Pegasi 16.

This handsome early stater belongs to the celebrated “Pegasos” coinage, originally developed at Corinth and subsequently adopted by its colonies, including Leucas. The obverse depicts the winged horse Pegasos, symbol of Corinthian identity and naval supremacy, here marked with a Λ beneath to distinguish the Leucadian issue. The reverse bears the helmeted head of Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, her profile framed within a shallow incuse, typical of early 5th-century fabric.

Struck not long after the Persian Wars, these staters reflect both the prestige of Corinthian coinage and Leucas’ importance as a Corinthian colony on the Ionian coast of Acarnania. The shared Pegasos–Athena types ensured wide recognition in trade across the Greek world, while the local letter identified the coin’s place of issue.