Dolphin in Harbor / Incusum with Shell

Messana (Sicily) - Hexas (⅙ Litra)
Dolphin jumping left in harbor basin
Incusum with several ornamentally divided fields, shell in the middle field

Description

Obverse: Dolphin jumping left in harbor basin
Reverse: Incusum with several ornamentally divided fields, shell in the middle field

Issued when Messana was known as Zankle. The dolphin in the harbor basin symbolizes the city's maritime importance and its famous sickle-shaped harbor. The denomination is uncertain - HGC lists it as a different nominal than expected.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerMessana
Ruling AuthorityAs Zankle (520 BC - 493 BC)
Period of Issue510 BC - 490 BC
Weight0.15 g
Diameter7 mm
Orientation
↑↑
1h
DenominationHexas (⅙ Litra)
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesHGC 2 #769 (possibly different denomination)

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
Germany
Gorny & Mosch, Auction 314 - Lot 107
Oct 14, 2025
United States
Lelouch Collection
Current