Central Greece. Lokris, Opuntii, or Opous.
Stater, c. 360s-c. 338 BC. (Silver, 12.19g., 23.5mm). Head of Demeter to left, wearing wreath of corn leaves, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace / ΟΠΟΝΤΙΩΝ Lokrian Ajax advancing to right, nude but for helmet, holding sword in his right hand and shield, ornamented with a griffin in its interior, with his left; at his feet, broken spear. BCD 456.5 (same dies). Humphris & Delbridge 134f (this coin). H. A. Troxell, The Norman Davis Collection. GCNAC (ANS, New York 1969), 131 (this coin).

Opous (IACP 386) was the capital of East Lokris and is the modern Atalandi. In Homer Ajax son of Oileus, or Ajax the Lesser, was the king of the Lokrians and brought his forces to Troy to help the Greeks; he is the warrior who appears on Lokrian coins. He was, however, a somewhat unpleasant character who became famous for his misdeeds, including the rape of Priam’s beautiful daughter Cassandra while she clutched a statue of Athena. This made him the goddess’s sworn enemy and he was finally killed by Poseidon for blasphemy.The lovely head of Persephone on the obverse of this coin was, of course, directly inspired by the Syracusan Arethusa heads of Euainetos; it is also quite similar to those found on some Peloponnesian coinages of the same period (Pheneos and Olympia for example). As for the reverse, it is not only similar to the Syracusan issue with Leukaspis, but also to the famous stater of Perikle of Lycia. The shield he carries is also remarkable for having its decoration on the inside - though there are sculptural parallels. Why the somewhat obscure town of Opous in Lokris should have produced such a lovely and extensive coinage is uncertain: military expenses seem the most likely reason.

Grading/Status: Attractively toned, of splendid style and very well centered. Extremely fine.

Notes
Provenance:
The Numismatic Auction 3, 1 December 1985, 86.
Norman Davis Collection, Numismatic Fine Arts XI, 8 December 1982, 114.