Campania, Neapolis. AR Didrachm

Campania, Neapolis. AR Didrachm, circa 325–241 BC. Obv. Head of the nymph Parthenope right, her hair elegantly arranged; behind, a grape cluster. Rev. ΝΕΑΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Nike crowning a man-headed bull walking right. 20 mm, 6.94 g. SNG ANS 317 (obv. stylistically similar); SNG Copenhagen 401; HN Italy 571. Handsome dark toning, attractive style, small scratches.  Ex Münzen & Medaillen AG, List 553 (1992), no. 1.

An appealing didrachm from Neapolis in Campania, a city whose coinage blended local Italic tradition with strong Greek artistic influence. The obverse presents Parthenope, the city’s eponymous nymph and legendary Siren, depicted with serene refinement. The grape cluster behind her likely alludes to the fertility of the surrounding countryside and the region’s long-standing viticultural traditions. The reverse features the characteristic man-headed bull, a river-god type inherited from earlier coinages of the Neapolitan region and widely associated with Acheloos and other divinities embodying natural abundance and regenerative power. Here he is crowned by Nike, symbolising both divine favour and the enduring prosperity of the city. The composition is rendered with harmonious balance, the figure of Nike enlivening the scene with graceful motion. Struck over a long period yet retaining a consistent and elegant style, the didrachms of Neapolis are among the most iconic issues of Campanian Greek coinage. This specimen, attractively toned and with distinguished provenance, is a fine representative of the series.